Needle-Stick Injuries and Hepatitis B Vaccination Gaps in Medical Laboratories: A Review of Risks and Institutional Responsibilities in Tertiary Institutions

In higher education institutions, individuals frequently come into contact with blood and bodily fluids, leading to infection risks. These injuries are often linked to insufficient training and improper disposal of sharps, combined with high workload patterns. The goal of this review is to assess the frequency of needle-stick injuries (NSIs) among lab personnel and the influence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination on blood-borne infection rates. A comprehensive global and institutional literature review was conducted, focusing on all available research regarding NSIs, associated risk factors, and HBV vaccination in laboratory or healthcare settings. The prevalence of NSIs among clinical laboratory workers ranges from 30 to 60 percent. HBV poses a significant challenge due to its high transmissibility, and vaccination is a critical measure to mitigate its spread. Vaccination coverage varies widely, with some tertiary institutions reporting non-medical staff vaccination rates as low as 53 percent. There are gaps in policy, awareness and vaccination accessibility at the institutional level that contribute to these low rates. It is essential for institutions implement mandatory HBV vaccination policies and enhance safety protocols for laboratory staff. By establishing standardized training on the handling of needles and sharps, as well as post-exposure procedures, and the incidence of NSIs can be significantly reduced. To advance occupational health and create safer laboratory environments in both academic and research institutions, it is vital to strengthen safety policies and vaccination initiatives.