OBJECTIVETo provide evidence for intervention measures on safe injection through a survey on the safety of injection in the health facilities in Wulong county, Chongqing city, China.

METHODSAn investigation on injection safety was conducted among health care providers with a uniform questionnaire.

RESULTSGlass syringes which were not appropriately sterilized was found in 52.2% (12/23) of the health facilities. Injection practices were not correct in 31.4% (11/35) of the health facilities. Used disposable syringes were discarded directly without any disposal in 63.6% (21/33) of the health facilities. At least one of the unsafe injection practices mentioned above existed in 77.1% (27/35) of the health facilities.

CONCLUSIONSThe main unsafe factors in the practice of injection are included: the practice to change needle but not syringe in penicillin allergic test and the injuries caused by used disposable syringes in medical staff. The important measures to improve injection safety were to train the medical staff on the knowledge about safe injection and the risks caused by unsafe injection, and to equip the health facilities with safe tools to destroy the used disposable syringes.