Laboratory Staff Competence and Workplace Challenges in Preventing Percutaneous Injuries in Community-Based Laboratories

Percutaneous injuries remain an important occupational hazard among laboratory personnel who routinely handle needles, sharps, and potentially contaminated specimens. This study assessed laboratory staff competence and workplace challenges in preventing percutaneous injuries in community-based laboratories in Albay, Philippines. A descriptive and correlational design was used among 41 Medical Technologists and Laboratory Technicians from 18 Rural Health Units (RHUs) and City Health Units (CHUs), selected through purposive sampling. Data were gathered using a validated structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Mann–Whitney U test. Laboratory staff demonstrated very high competence in skills (M = 4.79), knowledge (M = 4.78), and attitude (M = 4.91). Despite this, workplace challenges remained evident, with improper sharps disposal obtaining the highest mean (M = 4.48), followed by insufficient training and inadequate safety devices (both M = 4.27). A significant difference was observed between RHU and CHU personnel in knowledge (p = 0.022), while no significant differences were found in skills (p = 0.211) and attitude (p = 0.715). The findings indicate that high individual competence should be complemented by continuous training, adequate safety resources, effective reporting and monitoring systems, and sustained institutional and local government support.