Abstract:
The purpose of this parallel randomized control design was to study the effectiveness of a
program which applied the Health Belief Model and Participatory Learning in the prevention of
needlestick injuries for nurses. The samples were nurses who worked in general medicine wards,
general surgical wards, general orthopedics wards, and general neuro-surgical wards of the Police
General Hospital. They were selected by multistage sampling. 63 subjects were selected to be in
the experimental group and 63 subjects were in the control group. The experimental group received
the program applying the Health Belief Model and Participatory Learning in the prevention of
needlestick injuries. The control group received a regular lecture regarding Universal Precautions.
The data were collected using questionnaires and needlestick injuries prevention observation
forms.
The results of this study revealed that 2 weeks after intervention, the experimental group
had a mean score significantly higher than that before the intervention and higher than that of the
control group (p-value < .05). This mean score was based on 4 factors; perceived the risk of
needlestick injuries, perceived severity of AIDS, HBV, and HCV, perceived benefits in the
prevention of needlestick injuries, and perceived cues to action from their colleges. In addition for
the experimental group behaviors related to the prevention of needlestick injuries improved
compared to before the experiment and they improved more than that of the control group (p-value
= .001).
It is suggested that a program applying the Health Belief Model and Participatory
Learning in needlestick injury prevention program could lead to a sustainable improvement in the
prevention of needlestick injuries in nurses. It therefore could be applied to the prevention of other
diseases.