Nurses’ Knowledge and Barriers to Filter-Needle Use in Preventing Glass-Related Medication Complications: A Cross-Sectional Study At LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Filter needle use is a vital safety measure to prevent glass particle contamination ‎during medication preparation from ampoules. Although international recommendations ‎emphasize their importance, filter needles are rarely used consistently in resource-limited settings, ‎exposing patients to risks such as embolism, inflammation, and infection caused by glass particle ‎injection.‎ Aim: The study assessed nurses’ knowledge of filter-needle use, identified barriers to ‎implementation, explored strategies, and provided recommendations to promote safe medication ‎practices at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso. ‎ Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed with data collected from 145 ‎registered nurses selected through stratified sampling across 12 wards and 5 clinics in the ‎hospital. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and organized and analyzed using ‎Microsoft Excel and SPSS v27. Descriptive statistics summarized responses, while Chi-square ‎tests determined associations at a significance level of p < 0.05.‎ Results: Most nurses (95.9%) recognized the importance of filter needles, and 91.7% understood ‎their clinical indications. However, only 57.2% reported confidence in practical use. Reported ‎barriers included unavailability (100%), heavy workload (93.1%), lack of training (87.6%), ‎absence of institutional policy (100%), and financial constraints (81.4%). Knowledge was ‎significantly associated with financial limitations (χ² = 98.044, p < 0.001) but not with ‎sociodemographic factors (p > 0.05).‎ Conclusion: Nurses demonstrate strong theoretical knowledge but limited confidence and ‎practice due to systemic barriers. Institutional reform, including policy mandates, regular training, ‎and resource allocation, is urgently required to enhance safe medication practices