Occupational Blood Exposure Accidents – A KAP Study Among Dental Students in Khammam

Abstract

Background: Dentistry has existed since the dawn of time and has been revolutionized due to information explosion and technological advances. Though, exists the occupational exposures to blood and body fluids resulting in increased risk of transmission of infectious agents. The dental students are budding dentists, who are more vulnerable to occupational infections due to typical clinical practice and the instrumentation used in dental training. So the aim of the present study is to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices towards occupational blood exposure accidents among dental students in Khammam.
Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices towards occupational blood exposure accidents among dental students.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaire study was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices among dental students in Khammam.
Results: The study population consisted of 242 subjects. Among them 46 (18.3%) were males and 196 (81.7%) were females. Majority of the subjects which is 196 (81%) answered with Yes and 46 (19%) answered with No for “Do you know what an OBEA is”. It shows a significant statistical difference value of 0.001 which is less than 0.05 shows significance. The majority of the subjects that is 213 (88%) answered with Yes and 29 (12%) answered with No for “Do you use a protective eyewear”. It shows a significant statistical difference value of 0.000 which is less than 0.05 and shows more significance.
Conclusion: The dental students acceptable level of knowledge regarding handling and disposal of sharps and needles. Although post-graduates scored a little better, the difference between the undergraduates and post-graduates were not significant. Steps should be taken to increase awareness among the dental students. This can be done by including the topics relating to handling and disposal in their BDS curriculum and reinforcing the instructions when they are working in the clinics.