Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice of Dental Students Regarding Needle-Stick Injuries

One of the serious occupational hazards which dental students face during their clinical training is being infected as a result of a needle-stick injury. Objectives: To determine and compare the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of 3rd, 4th and 5th year dental students at Wits University in 2010 with regards to the needle-stick injury protocol. Methods: This was a comparative descriptive study carried out between April and June 2010. All dental students registered for the Bachelor of Dental Sciences (BDS) Degree in the 3rd, 4th and 5th year of study at Wits in 2010 were invited to participate. A self administered validated questionnaire was used to obtain the necessary information. Ethics was obtained from the Wits Ethical Committee and information was anonymous. Results: From a total of 73 students, 57 (78%) responded. The 5th year students showed the greatest knowledge of the protocol (81%) compared to the junior students (BDS 3=17% and BDS4=64%). The knowledge regarding protective precautions was low for all students ranging from 36% to 55%. The 5th year students had the greatest amount of needle stick injuries (35%) followed by the 4th years (14%). The students' knowledge regarding Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) was poor at all levels (BDS3=56%, BDS4=79% and BDS5 = 69%). Their attitude regarding the confidence in following the protocol in the event of a needle stick injury also relatively low (BDS3=29%, BDS4=64% and BDS5=38%). Conclusion: KAPs of dental students regarding needle-stick injury was inadequate and the prevalence of needle stick injuries was high. Students are at risk of being injured and measures should be implemented at the dental school to improve their KAP regarding the needle stick injury protocol.