Abstract
BackgroundDental personnel are subject to exposure to a number of occupational factors including needlestick and sharp injuries (NSIs). Our study aims to address knowledge gaps on prevalence and associated factors for needlestick and sharp injuries (NSIs) for the first time in Saudi Arabia.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 450 dental assistants recruited from 40 randomly selected private clinics in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Data on demographic characteristics, history of NSIs, nature of work, compliance with infection control protocols, and knowledge of infection control procedures and disease transmission were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess factors associated with NSIs; unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and their respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed.ResultsAbout three in ten dental assistants experienced at least one NSI (29.8%, 95% CI 25.6–34.2%) in private dental clinics. Lack of adequate knowledge of infection control procedures and disease transmission, non-compliance with infection control protocol of vaccination against hepatitis B virus, and attending 12 or less number of patients daily were significantly associated with increased risk of NSIs (p ≤ 0.05); adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) were 1.87 (1.18–2.97), 1.89 (1.05–3.41), and 1.63 (1.03–2.56), respectively. In addition, dental assistants working in 45.8% of dental clinics that had no infection control unit were positively associated with higher NSI risk (aOR = 2.28, 95% CI 1.45–3.57).ConclusionOur study reported the prevalent nature of NSIs among dental assistants in Saudi Arabia and identified key factors that could be targeted to mitigate this preventable condition. Dental assistants would benefit from proper training on infection control protocols and procedures.
Highlights
Dental personnel are subject to exposure to a number of occupational factors including needlestick and sharp injuries (NSIs)
Our analysis was based on a sample of 450 dental assistants who participated in our survey
Experiencing NSIs in a dental clinic was dependent on workers receiving anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination and the presence of infection control unit in a dental clinic (p < 0.05)
Summary
Dental personnel are subject to exposure to a number of occupational factors including needlestick and sharp injuries (NSIs). Contaminated needlestick and sharp injuries (NSIs) are the most common sources of infection among HCWs [2]. 3 out of 35 million HCWs worldwide experience needlestick injuries (NSIs) annually, exposing them to blood-borne pathogens [2, 3]. As many as 20 different pathogens could be transmitted by NSIs [4], hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) constitute the majority of blood-borne infections transmitted post-injury. As dental practice involves regular use of sharp instruments, and exposure to saliva, blood, and naturally occurring oral bacterial flora [6], dentists were more prone to hepatitis B infection than the general adult population [7]. In addition to the possibility of transmission of infection, consequences of NSI affect the daily life of HCWs causing stress and anxiety and in extreme cases disability and mortality [8,9,10]
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