Experiences of University of Namibia nursing students on needle stick injuries: A qualitative study

Objectives: The objective of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of University of Namibia nursing students on needle stick injuries.

Methods: A qualitative exploratory was used. Unstructured individual interview was conducted to collect data from ten nursing students who were purposively selected. Thereafter, data were analyzed using content thematic qualitative analysis. The study was granted permission and ethical clearance from the University of Namibia as well as Ministry of Health and Social Services.

Results: Three themes were generated; experiences of nursing students on needle-stick injury, factors contributing to needle stick injury among nursing students and recommendation made by student nurses to improve prevention and management of needle stick injuries. Findings revealed that nursing students who pricked themselves experienced fear of contracting or spreading blood borne diseases, in addition, they have experienced emotional problems as a result of lack of support from the hospital.

Conclusions: Results of this study revealed that needle stick injuries caused emotional trauma to the students therefore, education and prevention strategies were suggested. Moreover, students identified the need to introduce a structured counselling programmed for needle stick injury victims and improvement in the incidences reporting procedure.