Frequency of vaccination and exposure to needle-stick sharp injuries among a group of nurses in Turkey: A Meta regression analysis

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of needle stick sharps injuries (NSSIs) and the frequency of vaccination, and to determine the risk of exposure to hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. Methodology: We found 14 NSSIs-related studies conducted between January 1996 and January 2006 in Turkey. Out of those, 10 studies selected according to systematic review were related to vaccination. Analyses were prepared using a Meta Regression Analysis. Results: In 14 case-control studies, the rate of NSSIs among nurses for the last year was found to be 64%. The frequency of injury among nurses aged 30 and below when compared to that of nurses aged 31 and over was 1.071-fold higher. The frequency of vaccination among nurses in the age of 30 and under was 1.01-fold lower when compared to those in the age of 31 and over. Conclusions: We conclude that the prevention of NSSIs through education and training of nurses, especially younger nurses, is of great importance.