Injection safety
According to the World Health Organization, 16 billion injections are given each year in developing countries, and the risk of unsafe injections is a serious concern. Reuse of needles can cause the spread of life-threatening disease. For example, cases of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV caused by unsafe injections accounted for 30, 41, and 5 percent of new infections in 2000, respectively. However, single-use syringes, which range in cost between US$0.03 and $0.06 per syringe, could lower the risk of receiving an unsafe injection. In addition, other issues such as waste disposal and improper administration of vaccines are important problems related to injection safety.
PATH has developed technologies for safe needle disposal and worked with countries to get the supplies they need to make injections safe. Visit PATH's website to learn more about PATH's work in ensuring safe injections worldwide.
View resources on injection safety
Key resources
Injection Safety and Technology
A website from the World Health Organization (WHO) with scientific articles, technical tools, policy statements, and more related to injection safety and technology.
The Safe Injection Global Network (SIGN) Alliance
A WHO-coordinated website with resources on injection safety, including fact sheets, meeting reports, and a weekly e-newsletter, for a voluntary coalition of stakeholders aiming to achieve safe and appropriate use of injections worldwide.
Featured PATH resources
Health Care Waste Management Resources
A website that provides content for countries and programs working to improve health care waste management.
Giving Safe Injections: Using Auto-Disable Syringes for Immunization (2001)
A training curriculum for health care workers who provide injections, including information on the health impact of unsafe injections, selecting safe and effective vaccines, safely reconstituting vaccines, reading vaccine vial monitors, preventing needlestick injuries, and using a variety of auto-disable syringes.
Unsafe Injections, Fatal Infections (2000)
An overview of medical and social science wisdom on the extent of unsafe injections and the complex reasons why many injections are given in an unsafe manner.
Proper Handling and Disposal of Auto-Disable Syringes and Safety Boxes (2006)
A training module specially designed to be easy to adapt for national programs, including key technical content and quizzes, role plays, and creative ideas for trainers.
