Study objectives: To determine the incidence of needlestick injury among paramedics working in Florida during 1987, to describe the circumstances surrounding such injuries, and to assess the hepatitis B vaccination status of this group.
Design: Survey of a systematic random sample of paramedics using a self-administered questionnaire.
Setting: Florida.
Type of participants: Paramedics.
Main results: A completed questionnaire was returned by 300 of 500 paramedics (60%) who received the mailed questionnaire. Sixty-nine paramedics (23%) reported a total of 110 needlestick injuries. More than one third of injuries occurred in conjunction with recapping needles. Almost 62% of reported injuries could have been prevented had proper needle disposal technique been used. Sixty-two percent of paramedics reported having had at least one dose of the hepatitis B vaccine. Sixty-five percent of the unvaccinated paramedics said they would take the hepatitis B vaccine if it was offered free.
Conclusion: The majority of needlestick injuries among paramedics in Florida could be prevented with proper needle disposal. Offering the hepatitis B vaccine at no charge to paramedics in Florida could increase the vaccination rate substantially.
Needlestick injuries and hepatitis B immunization in Florida paramedics: a statewide survey
[Category] B형 간염,
[Source] pubmed
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