Injection safety knowledge and practice among nurses working in medical centers in Kosovo

Abstract

Assessing nurses’ knowledge and practices about injection safety is important to prevent healthcare-associated infections and the transmission of bloodborne pathogens among patients and healthcare workers. Understanding current practices in medical centres can help identify gaps in infection prevention and control. However, limited studies evaluating these variables particularly among nurses in Kosovo. This study aimed to assess knowledge and practices regarding injection safety among nurses working in medical centres in Kosovo. A cross-sectional study was conducted across medical centres in Kosovo from 5 to 31 January 2025, involving 189 healthcare professionals. Data were collected using an electronic questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests to describe the study variables and identify factors associated with injection safety knowledge and practices. The findings showed that the majority of nurses (81%) had good knowledge of injection safety, particularly regarding the risks of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission associated with unsafe practices. However, adherence to safe practices remained a concern, as only 31.1% of participants reported following safe practices regarding needle recapping after injection. Statistically significant associations were found between years of professional experience, gender, and educational level and nurses’ knowledge and practices regarding injection safety. Although most nurses demonstrated good knowledge, the findings highlight a gap between knowledge and practice. Therefore, regular training sessions, practical workshops, and the implementation of facility-level protocols aligned with national policies are recommended to strengthen adherence to injection safety standards. These measures can help improve patient and healthcare worker safety in medical centres across Kosovo. This study has international relevance by providing evidence on knowledge and injection safety practices, offering insights for infection prevention strategies, nursing education, and patient safety policies in healthcare settings worldwide.

Keywords: Infection prevention and control, injection safety, knowledge, nurses, nursing practice