The Effect of Precede-Proceed Model Based Simulation Experience in Needlestick and Sharps Injuries Among Nurses

Healthcare workers are exposed to many important risks that will negatively affect their health in their working environment. Among these risks, the most important threat is needlestick injuries. Needlestick injuries in healthcare workers with work-related injuries among studies, and the prevalence of injury remains high. In a study conducted by Gheshlagh et al. (2018), the prevalence of needlestick injuries in health workers was found to be 42.5%. It has been shown in studies conducted that the most common decision needlestick injuries among health workers are in nurses. In preventing injuries, preventing, and controlling negative behaviors related to the safe use of needlestick tools is among the most important strategies. In addition, the use of evidence obtained from interventional studies to prevent needlestick injuries in protection programs also plays an important role in prevention.

The importance of frequent and regular education about the subject has been mentioned especially in the studies conducted to prevent injuries. The World Health Organization (WHO) has published gold standards in the education of nurses and has recommended the use of electronic learning and simulation methods in the programs of nursing schools for learning and teaching according to these standards. It is important to use evidence-based practices to increase quality and competence by creating realistic clinical environments in nursing education. In this context, it is possible to use simulation-based experiences for educational purposes without exposure to infection control and employee safety in the clinical field.

In a study conducted by Nakamura et al. (2019), it was found that a simulation-based training program was effective in infection control. Due to the limited number of studies aimed at protecting the health of healthcare workers and controlling infection, more simulation-based studies are needed in this area. In addition, conducting model-based studies in developing behavior in health workers will also increase success. One of these models, the Precede-Process Model, is an important guide for users in assessing the social, epidemiological, behavioral, and environmental spheres of society for planning and evaluating programs. In summary, the aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of the Precede-Process Model-based simulation training program on preventing needlestick injuries in nurses who are the occupational group most exposed to injury.