بكالوريوس / Bachelor's

This analytical cross-sectional study will determine the prevalence of needle stick and sharps injury (NSSI) among nurses at Dongola Specialized Hospital, Northern State, Sudan, in 2026. NSSI is common among nurses globally (about 41%) and in Sudan (46–50%), but no local data exist for this hospital. The results will provide baseline data for the hospital administration and infection control team. Objectives General: To determine the prevalence of NSSI among nurses working at Dongola Specialized Hospital in 2026. Specific: To estimate the prevalence of NSSI during the past 12 months and during the nurses' career. To describe the devices, procedures and circumstances associated with the injuries. To identify the socio-demographic, occupational and safety-related factors associated with NSSI. To assess the reporting and post-exposure management of NSSI. Methodology Design: Analytical cross-sectional, hospital-based study. Setting and period: Dongola Specialized Hospital, September–November 2026, with four weeks of data collection. Population: All registered nurses in clinical departments who consent to participate. Nurses not present at the time of data collection are excluded. Sampling: Stratified random sampling by department, with proportional allocation. The sample size is calculated with the single population proportion formula (95% confidence, 5% margin of error, p = 46%), plus 10% for non-response. Data collection: Structured, self-administered, anonymous questionnaire in Arabic and English. It covers socio-demographic data, occupational data, safety practices and training, and NSSI experience. Analysis: SPSS, using descriptive statistics and the Chi-square or Fisher's exact test, with p < 0.05 considered significant.

The questionnaire will not collect names, phone numbers, employee ID numbers or any other identifying information. Each questionnaire will be given a serial code only. Voluntary participation and informed consent: Each nurse will receive an explanation of the study aim and will give written informed consent before participating. Nurses may refuse or withdraw at any time without any consequence. Restricted access to data: Only the research team and the supervisor will have access to the completed questionnaires and the data file

The study is a questionnaire-based survey with no procedures, samples or interventions, so the risk to participants is minimal

Nurses may gain greater awareness of the risk of needle stick and sharps injuries and of the correct post-exposure steps (washing the site, reporting, testing and prophylaxis), simply through answering the questionnaire. To the hospital: The study will provide the first baseline data on NSSI among nurses at Dongola Specialized Hospital. It will help the administration and the infection control team to understand the size of the problem, the devices and procedures involved, and the gaps in reporting and post-exposure management. To policy and practice: The findings can support recommendations for training on infection prevention, safe needle handling (avoiding recapping), availability of sharps boxes and guidelines, and hepatitis B vaccination coverage.