Shair Mohammad Hazara
Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
Title: Injection practices among medical practitioners working at private clinics in Karachi: A cross sectional design
Biography
Biography: Shair Mohammad Hazara
Abstract
Aims: This study assessed the practices, proportion of sharp injuries and associated risk factors among medical practitioners
practicing in slum areas of Karachi, Pakistan.
Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in slum area of Landhi Town Karachi. All medical practitioners running
the private clinics in the given area were asked to participate in the study. Data was collected on self-administered pre-tested
structured questionnaires. Proportion with percentage and 95% confidence interval was calculated for at least one sharp injury
(SI) in the last one year. Predictors of sharp injuries were assessed using multiple logistic regressions.
Results: 327/397 (80%) private medical practitioners consented to participate. 277/317(87%) were males, and 40/317(13%) were
female. Mean age was 38 (SD 11) years and mean work experience was 12 (SD 9) years. Proportion of at least one sharp injury
in the last one year was 86/317(27%, 95% CI: 22.2-32). Almost 40/86(47%) of SI were caused by needle recapping. Less work
experience, less than 14 years of schooling, more than 20 patients per day, administering more than 30 injections per day, reuse
of syringe, and needle recapping after use were significantly associated with sharp injuries.
Conclusion: Injection practices are very poor among private medical practitioners in slum area of Karachi, and proportion
of SIs is high. There is a risk of occupational transmission of blood borne infections among medical practitioners warranting
an urgent need for launching awareness and training on standard precautions for private medical practitioners in slum area of
Karachi.