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NIGER DELTA JOURNAL OF MEDICINE & MEDICAL RESEARCH

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Archive | ISSUE: 161, Volume: Jul-Sep-2026

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, PRACTICES, AND PREDICTORS OF PERCUTANEOUS EXPOSURE INCIDENTS AMONG HEALTHCARE STUDENTS AND WORKERS IN AFRICA: A NARRATIVE REVIEW.


Author:Osadolor AJ, Ugwoke GE, Obazee OC, Oladepo OO, Osadolor OO4, Ekpeti AP, Ugorji CV, Omorogbe KI, Ubogu AN, Okpalaugo PN, Ngban PM, Osadolor OO, Sunday OG, Omoruan DO Onaghinor EM, Okpara A

published date:2026-Sep-14

FULL TEXT in - | page 114–130

Abstract

Background: Percutaneous exposure incidents (PEIs) encompass needlestick injuries, injuries involving sharp objects, and exposures of the skin and mucous membranes to potentially infectious blood, saliva, tissue, and other bodily fluids.

Objective: This study is aimed at ascertaining the prevalence, predictors and level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning PEIs among healthcare workers and students.

Methods: This review was conducted using a systematic literature search of the following databases and registers: PubMed, DOAJ, Research4life, ScienceDirect, NDLTD, OATD, TROVE, Latin American and Caribbean Centre on Health Sciences Information, Scopus, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL [via EBSCOhost], AJOL, Google Scholar, and MedNar in December 2023. A total of 56 studies and 16,607 respondents were included in the review.

Results: The annual prevalence of PEIs in Africa ranged from 18.7% to 83.3%, while the lifetime prevalence varied between 15.6% and 90.3%. The overall annual and lifetime prevalences were 48.0% and 44.6%, respectively. Notable predictors of PEI occurrence included needle recapping, female gender, increased workload, and lack of infection prevention and patient safety training. A majority of respondents exhibited good knowledge, positive attitudes and good practices concerning PEIs

Conclusions: The prevalence of PEIs is still high among African healthcare workers and students, despite a consistent emergence of novel predictors. The knowledge, attitudes, and practices of African healthcare workers and students are encouraging; however, the need for more investigations in this domain cannot be ruled out for a more holistic piece of evidence.

Keywords: Percutaneous Exposure Incidents (PEIs), Healthcare, Africa, Prevalence, Predictors, KAP

Cite this article: Osadolor AJ, Ugwoke GE, Obazee OC, Oladepo OO, Osadolor OO, Ekpeti AP, et al. Knowledge, attitudes, practices, and predictors of percutaneous exposure incidents among healthcare students and workers in Africa: a narrative review.. Niger Delta J Med Med Res. 2026;5(2):114–130.

Keywords: Percutaneous Exposure Incidents (PEIs), Healthcare, Africa, Prevalence, Predictors

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