Assessment of Knowledge, Awareness and Experiences of Needle Stick Injury among Dental students

Objectives: To assess the knowledge, awareness and experiences of needle stick injury among the dental students of Dow University of Health Sciences
Methods: This was a cross sectional survey conducted among dental students of Dow University of health Sciences with a sample size of 250
Results: Out of 250 participants of the study 24% had suffered from the Needle Stick Injury (NSI), 72.4% did not have experience whereas3.6% did not know about NSI. 80.8% participants were vaccinated against against hepatitis B. Needle recapping was the most reported causative event of NSI.69.6% of the participants were found well aware of the measures which should be taken while opening the needle and 71.2%of the participants had awareness of proper disposal of the needle. Regarding the precautionary measures taken against the NSI, 52% of the participants reported that immunization against HBV should be developed, whereaas, 47.6% participants had knowledge about the management of NSI

Conclusions: The results of this study showed adequate knowledge of NSI among dental students. However there is a great need of conducting awareness sessions and workshops for further highlighting the importance of precautionary measures and immediate management of NSI not among the students but also among dental auxillaries.