Prevalence and associated factors of Needle Stick and sharp Injuries Among health care workers ın a teiıtiary care hospıtal Mogadishu, Somalia

Background Needle sticking and sharps injuries (NSSIs) are significant occupational hazards for healthcare workers (HCWs), contributing to the transmission of blood-borne pathogens such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. However, the prevalence and associated risk factors for NSSIs, particularly in low-resource settings, remain underexplored. Materials and Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 334 healthcare workers in a tertiary care hospital in Mogadishu, Somalia, in which questionnaires were used to assess injury occurrence, demographic data, and safety practices. Results The majority (72.4%) were aged between 26 and 40 years, with males accounting for 55.6% of the study population. A significant proportion (59.5%) reported being single. Nurses and midwives constituted the largest professional category, representing 33.6% of the participants. Notably, 72.7% of the respondents reported working night shifts. With respect to educational qualifications, 64.6% held a bachelor’s degree, and 50% had between 6 and 10 years of professional experience. Conclusion This study highlights the alarming prevalence of NSSIs among healthcare workers in Somalia, emphasizing the occupational risks faced by nurses, followed by doctors. These findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced safety protocols, training, and awareness campaigns to mitigate these injuries and protect healthcare workers from blood-borne infections.