Occupational Medicine & Health Affairs
Open Access

Abstract

Background/Aim: Medical students represent a population that is at a high-risk group for acquiring and spreading hepatitis B infection (HBV). Aim: This study was designed to evaluate knowledge base, attitudes and practice of medical students regarding occupational risks of HBV infection. Subjects and Methods: During March 2013, a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted on medical students of AlJouf University College of Medicine. Structured questionnaires of 16 different statements concerning knowledge base of HBV, attitudes as well as practices towards occupational risks of hepatitis B were distributed to 120 students. Results: Response rate of 76.7% yielded 92 questionnaires for analysis. Majority of the students surveyed 57 (62.0%) perceived that they are at high risk of contracting and spreading HBV. The rate of this perception among students who had history of training on universal precautions was more than that found among those who did not have (70.8% vs. 58.8%; P=0.025). Most of the students surveyed 58 (63.0%) considered vaccine is safe and more than half 48 (52.2%) were vaccinated against HBV. There were a very strong agreement about needlestick (n=85; 92.4 %) and blood (n=80; 87.0%) as an efficient modes of HBV transmission. Seventy two percent of the participants did not have any knowledge about post exposure prophylaxis for hepatitis B. A significant relationship was found between students who had history of training on universal precautions and knowledge about post needlestick injury (P = 0.04). Conclusion: Infectious occupational risk of hepatitis B remains challenge for medical students and the foundations of the medical institutes. Students must complete an infection control training before they start their clinical education.

Biography

Ahmad Homoud Al-Hazmi did MBBS from King Saud University, Master?s degree in primary health care from King Saud University (college of medicine- 1999) and diploma in the e-learning from (Busan, Seoul) South Korea. He has attended many national & international conferences. He has numerous publications in medical journals and has presented many posters and orals in various national and international conferences. He has been an international speaker and visited many countries including USA, China, Singapore, Malaysia etc.