Infection Control Awareness amongst Students Studying in Private and Government Dental Colleges in Kerala: A Cross-sectional Study
Gayathri Rajeev, Arun Jacob Thomas, Ancy Thomas, S. Ameena, Amina Nazarudeen, Amritha S. NairAbstract
Background:
Dental professionals face a high risk of contracting infections due to exposure to blood, saliva and other bodily fluids. Adherence to strict infection control protocols is crucial to protect both patients and healthcare workers. This study aimed to assess infection control awareness amongst dental students and interns in Kerala, India.
Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional study design was employed. A self-administered questionnaire was developed based on a literature review and international infection control guidelines. The questionnaire assessed knowledge, attitudes and practices related to infection control measures. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests (
Results:
A total of 300 participants (150 final-year students and 150 interns) completed the survey. Overall, a fair level of awareness regarding infection control practices was observed. High percentages of participants reported using physical barriers during procedures (87.1% of final-year students and 87.6% of interns) and proper waste disposal practices (83% of final-year students and 80.4% of interns). Vaccination rates were also high (89.1% of final-year students and 86.3% of interns). However, knowledge gaps were identified. While a significant proportion of final-year students (66.7%) correctly identified hepatitis B as a saliva-transmitted disease, a considerable number of interns (16.3%) mistakenly identified AIDS. In addition, a significant portion of both the groups reported using soap solution instead of disinfectants for hand hygiene (68.7% of final-year students and 68% of interns) and phenyl as the primary disinfection method (final-year students and interns).
Conclusion:
This study revealed a generally fair level of infection control awareness amongst dental students and interns in Kerala. However, specific knowledge gaps and suboptimal practices regarding hand hygiene and disinfection methods were identified. Targeted educational interventions focused on these areas are warranted. Future research utilising a larger, more representative sample and a longitudinal design can offer a more comprehensive understanding of infection control awareness and practices in this population. This knowledge can inform the development and implementation of effective strategies to improve infection control practices amongst dental students and ensure patient safety.