Popis: |
Medical students are exposed to the risk of occupational infections due to accidental exposures such as needlestick injuries, sharps injuries and mucosal exposure of contaminated blood or body fluids. A questionnaire was devised to determine occupational exposures (OEs) they had experienced, behaviours following OE, their knowledge and compliance on universal precautions. One hundred and fourteen medical students filled out the questionnaire. 31.6% were in 3rd, 22.8% in 4th, 35.1% in 5th, and 10.5% in 6th class. 61.4% of students had history of occupational injuries at least once. Rate of sharps injuries, needlestick injuries and mucosal exposure were 30%, 82.9%, 35.7% respectively. Rate of OEs was higher and statistically significant in 5th, 6th classes compared to 3rd, 4th.The most common way for exposure was recapping the needle. Rate of underreporting was 74.2%. 53.5% of the participants were vaccinated with complete dose of hepatitis B virus vaccine. 28.9% declared they always wore gloves prior to any percutaneus procedures. Medical students should be educated for the risk and encouraged to report OEs for their own safety. |