Abstract
In developing countries such as Egypt, the risk of blood-borne diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus is high for healthcare workers. To evaluate infection control knowledge, attitudes and practices, as well as the associated risk of percutaneous infection among dental students, a cross-sectional study was conducted in four Egyptian public dental schools in 2016. A total of 1776 students received an anonymous questionnaire on infection control knowledge, attitudes, and practices and the occurrence of needle and sharps injuries; 1067 (60.1%) completed the questionnaire. Third- (pre-clinical), fourth- (junior-clinical), and fifth-year (senior-clinical) students comprised 44.2%, 15.6%, and 40.2%, respectively. Although the majority of the students reported good attitudes and practices for infection control, knowledge scores were generally low. Female students scored higher on self-protection and sterilization practices than did male students, and the fourth-year students showed significantly higher scores for infection control practice than did the fifth-year students. In multivariate analysis, higher scores for all infection control practices were associated with higher scores for attitudes towards infection control and fewer (1–3) needle injury experiences. Although an alarming proportion had experienced needle or sharps injuries during clinical training, around 30% of the students had not received a complete hepatitis B vaccination. Future infection control education should introduce refresher training before graduation that focuses on injury prevention and post-exposure protocols. Additionally, introducing safer products and clinical procedures is highly recommended to minimize the risk of injuries during clinical practice for dental students in Egypt.
Highlights
Blood-borne pathogens transmitted through bodily fluids, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV), are a major health concern [1,2]
According to a 2002 World Health Organization (WHO) report, hepatitis B and C account for 40% and HIV accounts for 2.5% of the global burden of disease attributable to occupational exposure among healthcare workers [6], with 90% of such exposures occurring in developing countries [7]
The majority of participants reported a good attitude towards infection control and adequate scores for infection control practice
Summary
Blood-borne pathogens transmitted through bodily fluids, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV), are a major health concern [1,2]. Healthcare providers in developing countries are at a higher risk. According to a 2002 World Health Organization (WHO) report, hepatitis B and C account for 40% and HIV accounts for 2.5% of the global burden of disease attributable to occupational exposure among healthcare workers [6], with 90% of such exposures occurring in developing countries [7]. Mediterranean Regional Office estimated that around 1.4 million people acquire HBV and HCV infections during healthcare delivery in the Middle East [8]. Of these countries, Egypt is facing an alarming epidemic of blood-borne infectious diseases, HCV, which is among the highest in the world.
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