Background: Nurses are at high risk of occupational transmission of HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C virus infections by accidental exposure. In many developing countries awareness about this potential hazard is still poor and underreporting of accidental exposures is prevalent. Educational programs in this setting will show impact in form of improvement in underreporting before showing actual reduction of incidences. Method and material: This was retrospective observational study done at rural based tertiary care centre of India. We analyzed reported incidences of all 234 accidental exposures to nursing staffs and nursing students occurred in ten years period and compared data of pre-educational period of years 2004 to 2007 with period of years 2008 to 2013 during which educational programs were ongoing. Results: We observed 22 times rise in reporting of incidences (from ten to 224). Indirect evidences of increased awareness were also observed. 86% incidences were reported within 15 minutes of incidence in 2008-2013 period against none in 2004- 2007 period. In six out of eight cases of exposure to HIV, post exposure prophylaxis was received within 12 hours in 2008-2013 period against one out of three cases in 2004-2007 period. Conclusion: We observed rapid improvement in underreporting of accidental exposures as an impact of educational programs. Increased awareness was also demonstrated by timely reporting of incidences and taking post exposure prophylaxis for HIV early. Educational programs in developing countries will show impact in form of improvement in underreporting in initial phase; reduction in actual incidence will occur in later phase.
