Work Related Stress and Needlestick Injuries (NIs): A Study among Iranian Nurses with/without NIs

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the work related stress among Iranian nurses with/without needlestick injuries (NIs) as an exposure factor to blood-borne pathogens. Materials and Method: This study was conducted on 1070 nurses in Iranian public hospitals. The data were collected using a NIs questionnaire and the HSE Management Standards Indicator Tool and then, analyzed through independent ttest and logistic regression. Results: The mean work related stress scores among the groups of nurses with/without NIs were 114.49 and 110.37, respectively. Moreover, the mean for five out of the seven stress component including control, managerial support, peer support, role clarity, and change were lower in the group of nurses with NIs, as compared to the other group, resulting in a significant difference between the two groups regarding the five stress component and work related stress (p<0.05). Further, the results showed that work related stress was significantly correlated with the variables of age, work experience, BMI, work shift the NIslast occurred, the way the NIs last occurred and received/unreceived Hepatitis B vaccine(p<0.05). Conclusion: The NIs incidence was observed to cause increased levels of work related stress and its associated stressors among nurses. Accordingly, the work related stress level increased after the NI incidence and over time, the work related stress severity declined among nurses. Post-Nıs work related stress is considered as a mild PTSD with less severe effects. Therefore, it is essential to take control measures to reduce the work related stress and its negative effects.