EPIDEMIOLOGY OF NEEDLESTICK INJURY AMONG HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN KELANTAN FROM 1997 UNTIL JUNE 2005 Nik Rosmawati N.H. 1 & Abu Hassan Shaari A.K. 2 1 Tibi!Leprosy Control and Prevention Unit, Kelantan State Health Department, Malaysia. 2 0ccupational and Environmental Health Unit, Kelantan State Health Department, Malaysia. ABSTRACT Health care workers are often victims of occupational injuries by contaminated sharps or projection of contaminated fluids to mucous membranes and are therefore at risk for transmission of HIV, HBV and HCV. The emotional impact of a needlestick injury can be severe and long lasting, even when a serious infection is not transmitted. This study analyzed the case reports in the data base of reporting system for occupational accident and dangerous occurrence in Kelantan to look on the epidemiology of needlestick injury among health care workers in Kelantan from 1997 until June 2005. A total of 291 accident cases were reported among health staffs and needlestick injury contributed to 69.1 %. Year by year distribution of needlestick injury is in reducing trend with the highest incidence was in 2001 (35 cases) and the lowest was in year 2000 (9 cases). Almost half of the cases were between 21-30 years. And majority was Malay female. Nearly one-third (72.1 %) of the needlestick injury occurred in ward and the highest reported rate of needlestick injury was among nursing student (20.3%) followed by staff nurse (14.4%) and medical officer (10.7%). The highest proportion of needlestick injury occurred while doing procedure (41.3%) followed by performing diagnostic glucometer (12.4%). Among staff nurses, most were contributed from 41-50 years age group and the least contribution ...yas from those age 21 to 30 years. However, among medical officers, nearly half of the cases were contributed from 21-30 years and the least from 41-50 years. We recommend combination of preventive strategies at different target groups focusing on high risk work practices. Keywords: Needlestick injury, occupational accidents, healthcare workers. INTRODUCTION A needlestick injury was defined as a penetrating wound with an instrument that is potentially contaminated with blood or body fluid of another person 1 . Needlestick injuries can expose workers to a number of bloodborne pathogens that can cause serious or fatal infections