Injuries and related factors during occupational practice education in a college of health

The aim of this study is to research the sharp and needlestick injuries encountered during the students? practice and to find the etiology of injuries, to increase the awareness of the students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted May 2007 in all of the students, A questionnaire, including sociodemographic characteristics, and Spielberg (1970) and adapted to Turkish Culture by LeCompte and Öner (1977). In order to get information about the independent variables "Personal Information Form" which was developed by the researcher was utilizied. Were applied to the participants. Data were given as mean ± standard deviation, median (minimum-maximum) and frequencies. Analysis of data performed by using multiple logistic regression, Student?s t test ve Pearson correlation analysis. The questionnaire which shows demografic features, injury charecteristics and anxiety status of the students was prepared and applied by researcher according to literature . This questionnaire was applied to a number of students; 150 from the first grade, 80 from the second grade, a total of 230 students in The College of GATA Health Occupation in 2007. 230 (100%) were completed the study. The average ages of the students were between 17-21 years. The perceptional health condition was evaluated as ?well? in 82,1 % of the cases. The momentary and continious anxiety levels were 50,50+8,198 and 35,50+8,020 respectively. Momentary anxiety level was 86,1% and it was high. In 23,9% of the cases they had been injured. Of the injuried, in 87,3 % of the cases the injury happened during the hours of 9:00 and 12:00 am and in 32,7% of the cases the injury had happened at the emergency department, In 51,4 % of the cases because of being in a hurry, in 69,1% of the cases the reason was a sharp injury and open cut or wound in the hand region. The injured students had higher continious anxiety level. 23,9% of was stated that they injured during practice. There is statistical difference between injury status and its differantiation with grades (p=0,015). There is significant statistical difference between momentary anxiety levels and grades (p=,049). In our study, 49,1 % of the students were injured when they were breaking the ampoules. 78,7 % of the students believe that paramedic is a stressful job. Statistically meaningful differences between injury status and communication problems were obtained (p=,046). There is a signifacant distinction between continious anxiety level and injury (p=,020). 40 % of 55 students who were injured, have high levels of continious anxiety . There is statistically noteworthy diversity between continious anxiety level and communication problems (p=,012). It is determined a meaningful ly statistical diversity between sleeping disorders and momentary continious anxiety (p=,012),(p=,048) . There is noteworthy variation between continious anxiety level and sporting habits (p=,007). It is found a meaningfully statistical divergence between injury status and occupational disease education (p=,021). In order to evaluate the sensitivity of occupational disorders and to go over the knowledge level ,the subject has to be lectured in the first grade and controlled by practicing trainer continiously for the students to be in the habit of doing it. It is suitable to establish occupational security units,infection control commities,accurate report systems, prevention precautions for the health professions who have high risk when practicing their occupation for one to be aware of occupational injuries and disorders.