ANALYSING THE KNOWLEDGE & PRACTICE OF CROSS INFECTION CONTROL AMONG PAKISTANI & SWEDISH DENTAL STUDENTS

Abstract

Dentists are at risk of exposure to disease agents through contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials. To minimize the risks of disease transmission from a patient to a dentist or from a dentist to the patient, strict infection control measures need to be followed. The purpose of this study was to compare the knowledge & practice of infection control measures among Pakistani and Swedish dental students. A total of 110 questionnaires were filled out of which only 100 were selected for the study in Pakistan & Sweden. The type of study is observational cross-sectional. Data was entered & analyzed by statistical software with a confidence interval of 95%. Cross infection control practice among Swedish dental students was superior as compared to dental students in Pakistan. Out of 100 students in both countries, the practice for personal protection in terms of gloves was followed by all of the students. The use of protective footwear was only 16% in Pakistani students as compared to 97.8% in Swedish students. Only 66% Pakistani students were screened for Hepatitis B & C as compared to 100% Swedish students. A substantial 44% Pakistani students experienced needle stick injury as compared to 37.8% Swedish students (p value is 0.130). The students in Pakistan and Sweden were well equipped about the knowledge of standard cross infection protocols. The practice towards cross infection control in both the countries was encouraging. There is a greater need for hepatitis screening among Pakistani students. Adequate steps should be taken to minimize the incidence of needle stick injury among the students of both the countries.