INTRODUCTION. The risk of infection with HBV, HCV and HIV viruses is well documented in the healthcare workers who incur in needlestick and  sharp injuries during their daily work. Nursing students constitute a subgroup of health care providers exposed to occupational risk of  bloodborne infections after a direct contact with blood or body fluids happened during clinical practice.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES. This study was carried out to perform  a vigilance investigation among nursing students of three Italian Universities.  Survey objectives was to determine the frequency and the circumstances of the biological exposures and to correlate risk rate with acquired skills in nursing clinical care.

METHODS. The study started in the Chieti University in the year 2002. Nursing students, who denounced an exposition by direct contact with blood and/or other body fluids during clinical practice, was enrolled. The collected data on the exposure incidents was performed through a suitably arranged database. A  six months of serological follow up was performed in all enrolled students. The OR was calculated to determine the relationship between biological exposition rate and nursing clinical skills.

RESULTS.  Preliminary data showed that on 720 nursing students, 97 biological exposures (13,5%) happened during the three years of the degree course. Needlestick were the predominant cause of all accidents and an increased risk highlighted among the first year students with respect to those of the next years.

CONCLUSION

Exposure risk to blood or biological liquids is high among the first year nursing students. Greater education and prevention interventions are necessary to reduce this risk. The study is continuing with the students recruitment of other two Italian universities.