[The frequency of needlestick and sharps injuries during clinical training setting in dental students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in 2005]

ABSTRACT

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. This cross-sectional study was performed on 137 dental students during clinical training setting at Shiraz/Iran dental school in 2004. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data gathering and completed by 137 [50.4%female and 49.6%male] students. From 137 students, 73.7.% reported at least one NSI that most commonly [53%] had occurred in the patient room .From all, 85% had information about standard precautions and 94.9% had been vaccinated against hepatitis B. Mean score of practice in protection strategies against blood borne pathogens was 14.3 [of 25]. Females' practice in regard to protection strategies was significantly better in comparison to males [P<0.01]. 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