Abstract
Dear Editor,
In a recent publication by Zhang et al. (2015), it was noted that prevention and effective post-exposure management of needlestick injuries are the focus (Wiwanitkit, 2001). Bloodborne pathogen transmission can result from needlestick injuries. Of several pathogens, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is of particular concern (Higginson & Parry, 2013) because nurses can be infected by HIV from accidental occupational needlestick injuries; however, the actual incidence is rarely mentioned. Zhang et al. tried to estimate the incidence of HIV from needlestick injuries based on available data. The estimation can be calculated using the following formula: Estimated incidence of HIV infection = rate of needlestick injury × rate of HIV contamination in needle × chance of seroconversion after injury by HIV-contaminated needle. The rate of needlestick injury was reported by Zhang et al. to be 64.9%. The rate of HIV needle contamination was calculated using proportion of HIV-contaminated needle injuries reported by Henry and Campbell (1995) to be 1.48%. Seroconversion after HIV-contaminated needle injury is 0.36% (Tokars et al., 1993). The estimated incidence of HIV infection from HIV-contaminated needlestick injury is 0.0035% (3.5 per 100,000). To decrease this estimated incidence, post-exposure management is essential. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1995) noted that the use of antiretroviral drug in post-exposure can effectively decrease the risk of seroconversion.