Table 1 Characteristics of the included studies in the meta-analysis of the prevalence of NSI among nurses in Iran, 2023

Roozbeh [19]

2023

Shiraz

106

19.8

NSI prevalence was significantly higher among those with higher age (p = 0.033), work experience > 10 years (p = 0.040), and those who graduated earlier (p = 0.031). The intravenous injection was the most common procedure leading to NSI, and being in a hurry was the most common cause. The average general health was 3.7 ± 3.2, higher among those not exposed to NSI (p = 0.042)

High

Askari Majdabadi [20]

2022

Tehran

200

45.4

The results showed that increasing risk-taking, increasing aggression, decreasing self-confidence, and decreasing emotional intelligence reduced safe behavior and increased the number of needle injuries (P < 0.001).

High

Rashidi [21]

2020

Khorramabad

380

53.7

Most nurses were female (79.2%), and in the range of 20 to 30 years (52%). There was a significant correlation between NSI with shift work (p = 0.003), work experience (p = 0.027), and workplace (p = 0.015).

High

Joukar [22]

2018

Rasht

1010

57.4

Most of the participants were female (94%), in the range of 30 to 40 years (39.3%), and had more than 10 years of work experience (40.8%). 42.2% of the samples had experienced NSI more than once. Also, 63.6% of NSI cases occurred in the morning shift.

High

Ramzani [23]

2018

Sari

132

38.1

Most participants were female (60.6%) and married (77%). The main reason for needle sticking in the view of nurses (62.7%) was high workload.

Medium

Ghasemi [24]

2017

Tehran

267

41.2

Most participants were female (52%) and had a bachelor’s degree (98%). The mean age of the samples was 33 years.

Medium

Abareshi [25]

2017

Sabzevar

204

33

Most of the participants were female (65.2%) and half of the participants were under 30 years old. Most of the injured nurses (84.62%) used personal protective equipment during the NSI and most of them (73.15%) had no training in this regard.

Medium

Mehravar [26]

2016

Gorgan

345

81.3

Most participants were female (69.5%). The mean age of participants was 30.9 years. Re-capping has been reported as the most important cause of NSI. A significant relationship has been reported between gender and NSI (p = 0.016).

Medium

Jahangiri [27]

2016

Shiraz

168

76

Most of the participants were women (72.6%) and had a bachelor’s degree. There was a significant relationship between the occurrence of NSI with gender (p = 0.024), number of working hours per week (p = 0.001), and number of shifts per month (p = 0.041).

High

Hajivandi [28]

2015

Bushehr

68

55.8

Most NSI (80%) were caused by needles. Nurses considered high workload as the main reason for their injury.

Medium

Mahmoudi [29]

2015

Tehran

100

41

Most participants were female (69%). The mean age and work experience of nurses were 34.7 years and 10.99 years, respectively. Most nurses (63%) reported their injury to their authorities. There was a significant relationship between NSI with age, work experience and education, and workplace (p < 0.05).

Medium

Balouchi [30]

2015

Kerman

200

64

Most participants were female (86%) and married (84.5%). In this study, there was no significant relationship between NSI history, age, work experience, and number of shifts per month.

Medium

Mirzaei-Alavijeh [31]

2014

Rafsanjan

70

41.4

More than half of the participants were male (53.4%) and single (58.6). The mean age and work experience of nurses were 29.7 and 6.98 years, respectively. There was a significant relationship between NSI and job stress and gender (p < 0.05).

Medium

Ghanei Gheshlagh [32]

2014

Saghez

120

44.2

More than half of the participants (55.8%) were women. The mean age and work experience of nurses were 33.4 years and 9.8 years, respectively. Most of the samples (76.7%) had a bachelor’s degree or higher. There was a significant relationship between the prevalence of NSI with younger age and low work experience.

Medium

Bijani [33]

2014

Qazvin

246

31.3

The majority of participants (85%) were female. Needle re-capping and the number of repeated shifts were associated with NSI.

Medium

Rezaei [34]

2013

Tehran

514

26

Most participants (94%) were female and (63.43%) were married. A significant relationship was reported between NSI and work experience (p < 0.05).

Medium

Tirgar [35]

2012

Babol

333

59.7

Most participants were female (80%) and had less than 10 years of work experience. Their average working hours per week were 54.2 h. The variables of age, work experience, training and needle repositioning had a significant relationship with NSI.

Medium

Ehsani [36]

2012

Tehran

328

45.1

Most participants were female (70.42%) and married (60.36%). The mean age and work experience of nurses were 30.71 years and 9.03 years, respectively. There was a significant relationship between NSI and age and ward.

Medium

Mohammadi [37]

2011

Qazvin

138

38.4

There was a significant relationship between NSI and ward.

High

Bijani [38]

2011

Qazvin

172

32

Most nurses were female (84.9%). The most common cause of NSI was syringes (70.9%) and most injuries occurred during blood sampling (36.4%). There was a significant relationship between NSI and consecutive shifts.

Medium

Rahnavard [39]

2011

Rasht

500

77.2

Most NSIs occurred during night shifts in nurses over 40 years of age. Needle was the most common cause of NSI.

Medium

Khalooei [40]

2010

Kerman

338

33

The mean age and work experience of nurses were 34 years and 11.7 years, respectively. Most injuries (29.6%) occurred in the surgical ward. Most injuries occurred during blood sampling (28.3%) and in the morning shift (37.7%).

Medium

Mohammadi Nejad [41]

2010

Tehran

68

47

Most participants (88.2%) were female, married (52.9%), and had less than 5 years of work experience (64.7%). There was a significant relationship between work experience and NSI (p < 0.05).

Medium

Kazemi Galougahi [42]

2010

Tehran

158

57

Most participants (59.5%) were female. Most injuries (24.44%) occurred during injections. Most NSIs were related to the operating room (18.9%).

Medium

Mohammad Nejad [43]

2009

Tehran

218

43.1

The most important cause of injury from the nurses’ point of view was overcrowding. 32% of nurses did not report their injury and the most common reason for non-reporting by nurses was dissatisfaction with follow-up and unfamiliarity with the reporting process.

Medium

Joneidi Jafari [44]

2008

Tehran

613

32.7

More than half (53.2%) of the injured nurses were male. The highest prevalence of NSI (22.9%) was related to the internal ward. The most common cause of NSI (70.6%) was the syringe. Most injuries (24.4%) occurred during blood sampling and in the morning shift (37.8%).

Medium

Azadi [45]

2007

Tehran

111

45

Most nurses were women (73.9%) with less than ten years of work experience (69%). Most injuries (38%) occurred due to recapping. Work experience and type of shift were associated with NSI.

Medium

Askarian [46]

2007

Shiraz

1555

26.3

Most participants (77%) were female. The mean age and work experience of nurses were 31 years and 7 years, respectively. A significant relationship was reported between NSI and work experience and age.

High

Ebrahimi [47]

2006

Shahrud

180

63.3

Most participants (68.3%) were female and had less than ten years of work experience (65%). Most injuries occurred during injections.

Medium