International Journal of Advance Nursing Practice

Background: The issue of needle stick injuries constitutes a risk of occupational injury among nursing students in clinical practice. These injuries put the students at a risk of blood-borne diseases such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C as well as HIV. The right information about the precautions and the safety measures regarding the needles should also be established in order to stem out the occurrence of such injuries. Aim: The aim of the study was to establish the level of knowledge of the B.Sc. Nursing first-year students on the subject of needle stick injury. Methodology: The research was done in terms of descriptive survey design. It was conducted among 60 B.Sc. Nursing first year students in John Sir Isaac Newton College of Nursing, Nagapattinam. A convenient method of selection was applied in selecting the participants. Data was collected using the self-administered questionnaire of demographic variables and questions of multiple choices regarding the knowledge on needle stick injury. Result: The results showed that 42 (70) students were ill informed and 18 (30) students were moderately informed on needle stick injury with none of the students being well informed. Conclusion: The findings indicate that the majority of the nursing students were not well knowledgeable with regard to needle stick injury and its prevention.