Occupational Health: Analysis of the Psychological Impact of Exposure to Needlestick and Sharps Injuries…

StudyNursing research and practice· 2026

Occupational Health: Analysis of the Psychological Impact of Exposure to Needlestick and Sharps Injuries Among Primary Health Care Professionals.

Talita Priscilla da Silva Guerra, Rodrigo Pierobon Rodrigues, Roberto Martins de Oliveira … Luís Eduardo Genaro

Occupational & Environmental MedicineStudyClinical practiceQ1IF 2.6

Over a third of workers with needlestick injuries showed clinically significant post-traumatic stress symptoms

Occupational Health: Analysis of the Psychological Impact of Exposure to Needlestick and Sharps Injuries Among Primary Health Care Professionals.

Talita Priscilla da Silva Guerra … Luís Eduardo Genaro

Nursing research and practice · 2026

Background

Occupational exposure to biological material, particularly needlestick and sharps injuries, is a relevant public health concern in Primary Health Care (Primary Health Care), as it combines infectious risk with psychological sequelae that are often underestimated.

Purpose

This study aimed to analyze the occurrence of needlestick and sharps injuries and their psychological impact among Primary Health Care professionals, considering biosafety knowledge, vaccination status, postexposure conduct, and perceived availability of psychological support.

Results

over a third had significant post-traumatic stress after their injury

37.5%

PTSD symptoms (≥33 cut

43.8%

Elevated distress (≥24

More results

Among the 53 participants with valid responses for injury occurrence, 16 reported having experienced a needlestick or sharps injury, corresponding to 31.4% of the valid sample.

More results

Self-reported hepatitis B vaccination coverage was high, with 94.3% reporting completion of the three-dose schedule; however, insufficient anti-HBs testing and limited guidance regarding postvaccination serological monitoring indicated weaknesses in occupational health surveillance.

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Conclusion

Nevertheless, they highlight the need for structured institutional actions, including periodic biosafety training, clear definition of occupational exposure, systematic reporting, immediate referral to reference services, anti-HBs monitoring, postexposure serological follow-up, nonpunitive reporting systems, and incorporation of psychological screening or referral into postexposure care pathways.

Occupational Health: Analysis of the Psychological Impact of Exposure to Needlestick and Sharps Injuries Among Primary Health Care Professionals.

Occupational Health: Analysis of the Psychological Impact of Exposure to Needlestick and Sharps Injuries Among Primary Health Care Professionals.

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