Needlestick and Sharp Injuries Among Nurses in Kirkuk City Hospitals: Prevalence and Contributing Factors

Background: Needlestick and sharp injuries are percutaneous injuries caused by needles or sharp objects contaminated with blood or bodily fluids. They represent a significant occupational hazard to hospital staff. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and contributing factors of Needlestick and Sharp Injuries in nurses from four hospitals in Kirkuk City.Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 nurses, purposively selected from the emergency department of four hospitals in Kirkuk City, between November 10, 2024, and May 10, 2025. A structured questionnaire and observational checklist served as data collection instruments. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 26, was used for data entry and analysis. Both descriptive and inferential statistical methods were employed to analyze data. Result: Among the 200 enrolled nurses, 158 (79%) reported exposure to Needlestick and Sharp Injuries. Of those injured, 90 nurses (45%) reported their injuries. More than half of the injuries (67.1%) occurred during the morning shift. Syringe needles were the most common devices causing sharp injuries (70.9), and injections were identified as the primary procedures leading to these incidents (73%). Most injuries occurred during recapping (63.3%). No significant associations were found between injuries and age, gender, employment duration, or education; however, marital status showed a significant association. Conclusion: The study revealed a high prevalence of Needlestick and Sharp Injuries among nurses at Kirkuk hospitals. It emphasizes the need for targeted training on sharp object handling, strict adherence to safety protocols, improved reporting of incidents, and the elimination of risky practices like needle recapping to reduce injury rates and enhance occupational safety