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Knowledge, attitudes and practices surrounding occupational blood‐borne pathogen exposure amongst students in two C hinese dental schools
Author(s) -
Wu L.,
Yin Y.L.,
Song J.L.,
Chen Y.,
Wu Y.F.,
Zhao L.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
european journal of dental education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.583
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1600-0579
pISSN - 1396-5883
DOI - 10.1111/eje.12162
Subject(s) - medicine , logistic regression , family medicine , universal precautions , personal protective equipment , occupational exposure , harm , occupational safety and health , environmental health , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , psychology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , pathology , disease , social psychology , covid-19
Objective To investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices surrounding occupational blood‐borne pathogen exposure amongst dental students at two C hinese dental schools, as well as important factors that are associated with their career choice and attitudes towards infected patients. Subject and Methods The study was conducted using a student self‐administered questionnaire from M arch to J une 2013 at two C hinese dental schools. Chi‐square tests and multivariable logistic regression were used to compare the categorical variables and identify the variables related to attitudes. Results One hundred and seventy‐one students answered the questionnaire (response rate 83%). Most participants had incomplete knowledge about occupational exposure and participants' compliance with the infection control programme during routine clinical work was low. Fifty‐six participants (34%) experienced at least one occupational exposure, but only one reported the incident. Percutaneous injuries and mucous membrane exposures were the main causes for exposure. Protection of the eyes and post‐exposure management were inadequate. According to most participants, they had received insufficient education. Their concerns about the risk of infectious professional exposure would influence their career choice and approach to patients. Only 14% and 26% of the participants were willing to treat human immunodeficiency virus‐ and hepatitis B virus‐infected patients, respectively. Conclusions More effective education on prevention and management is required for dental students to reduce the harm caused by occupational exposure. It is important to ensure dental students' knowledge and understanding before allowing them to enter clinical training.