Abstract:

BRAVE is an acronym for Bleed, Rinse, Anchor, Validate and Emerge. A two-pronged approach to information dissemination about the importance of reporting as well as an educational material on what to do when one is pricked. Needle stick injuries (NSI) is one of the most frequent routes in occupational health hazard for transmission of various blood-borne infections. This research was conducted to determine the level of awareness and the extent of difference in the prevention and management of needle prick injury. The research was a descriptive-cross sectional comparative design which has assessed the level of awareness of health care professionals in the medical center. Data were condensed utilizing mean and differences were determined utilizing ANOVA. A 10-item survey was formulated to assess awareness on the fundamental elements revolving needle stick injury, which are the risks of infection, importance of reporting, and post-exposure management. Four (4) questions focused on incident reporting, which is a key element in post-exposure management. Three (3) questions were allotted to assess awareness of the risk of needle stick injury in the workplace as well as the risk of a possible infection from the said injury. The remaining three (3) questions evaluate awareness on awareness of the management after injury and preventive measures. A total of 110 respondents were included in the study with 50 nurses, 15 medical technologists, 15 medical residents and 15 medical interns. The nurse respondents were assigned in different units where medical technologists, medical residents and medical interns may be rotated to include the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Hemodialysis Unit (HD), Operating and Delivery Rooms (OR/DR), and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The data shows significant difference in the three areas: Awareness, Reporting and Management of Injuries; F=0.006, F=0.03, F=0.04, p=0.05 respectively. This suggests that nurses, medical technologists, medical interns and medical residents have differences in their level of awareness. From the conclusion derived from this research, the following recommendations are drawn: There is a need to establish a regular infection control protocol orientation among medical residents to improve their level of awareness as to needle stick injury, reporting and management. Reinforce further BRAVE campaign through other multimedia means like an application in the mobile phones, IEC materials etc. There is need to further investigate locus of control among health care professionals of the medical center.