The Frequency of Needlestick and Sharps Injuries during Clinical Training Setting in Dental Students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in ۲۰۰۵

Introduction: Dental students are at high risk for occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens (including HBV, HCV and AIDS) via sharps and needle stick injuries (NSIs). The aim of this study was to evaluate sharps and needle stick injuries among dental students and students' practice regarding protective strategies against blood borne pathogens. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on ۱۳۷ dental students during clinical training setting at Shiraz/Iran dental school in ۲۰۰۴. A self administered questionnaire was used for data gathering and completed by ۱۳۷ (۵۰.۴%female &۴۹.۶%male) students. Results : From ۱۳۷ students, ۷۳.۷.% reported at least one NSI that most commonly (۵۳%) had occurred in the patient room .From all, ۸۵% had information about standard precautions and ۹۴.۹% had been vaccinated against hepatitis B. Mean score of practice in protection strategies against blood borne pathogens was ۱۴.۳ (of ۲۵). Females' practice in regard to protection strategies was significantly better in comparison to males (P<۰.۰۱). Conclusion: These data confirm that dental students have a high rate of NSIs and attention should be directed to increase their knowledge about standard protective strategies against blood borne pathogens.

The Frequency of Needlestick and Sharps Injuries during Clinical Training Setting in Dental Students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in ۲۰۰۵ Keywords:

Dental students , Needle stick injury , Sharp injury , Blood borne disease