Fourteen studies, with 7,166 participants, were included in the review. This included 10 randomised controlled trials, two cohort studies with no randomisation, one prospective randomised study, and one quasi-experimental study. The sample size ranged from 42 to 2,462 participants. Thirteen studies failed to report the drop-out rate, blinding procedures, and consent rates. Follow-up ranged from two to 21 months, where reported.
Eight out 10 studies that used double gloving, and two out of three studies that used blunt needles found a reduction in glove perforations among health care workers. Education on blood borne pathogens (one study) led to improvements in knowledge and a reduction in self-reported needle injuries.