Needlestick injury (NSI) is a well known risk for bloodborne infection such as hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus. This study aimed to determine prevalence of NSI and Hepatitis B vaccination status of medical students in Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital (MNRH).

NSI of healthcare workers (HCWs) accident records in MNRH between October 1, 2010 and September 30, 2012 were reviewed, retrospectively.

• Prevalence of NSI in nurses, medical students, nurse assistants, medical doctors, nurse students and technicians was 7.7%, 7.4%, 6.5%, 5.3%, 2.5% and  2.2% respectively.

• Most of them were female and their mean age was  22.67 years.

• Suturing was the most common procedure causing NSI. 

• Primary causes of the injuries were recklessness  (69.4%), lack of skills (25.0%), and inappropriate equipments (5.6%).

? NSI only occurred once in each student.

• The accident  occurred 55.5% in wards, 30.5% in operating  rooms, and 14% in emergency rooms.

• Source of NSI:  1 was HIV/HBV co-infected patient, 1 HIV/HCV, 1 HBV-infected, 1 HCV-infected, 1 was patient infected with  syphilis.

• All of the medical students already had immunity against HBV.

• HIV-PEP was prescribed for 2 students within 3 hours after NSI.

• None of them infected with HIV, HBV, HCV,  and syphilis in the  follow up evaluation.

 •  NSI is common in clinical-year medical students.

 • Hepatitis B screening and va ccination programmed before starting clinical practice would indeed be useful in this context. 

To reduce the prevalence of NSI in medical student, a prospective study with formal education and NSI prevention training programme may be worthwhile to proceed.

 We thank all Infection Control Nurse of Maharaj Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital and Collaboration Project to Increase Production of Rural Doctor (CPIRD), Thailand, for their cooperation and help .