Awareness, Knowledge, and Practices Regarding Occupational Hazards Among Medical Students: A Longitudinal Study Before and After Admission as Trainees. Issue 4 (April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Braeckman, Lutgart; Verbrugghe, Mathieu; Janssens, Heidi; Verpraet, Rini; Cobbaut, Luc
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 59:Issue 4(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-04
• Subjects: Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental health; Medicine, Industrial; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000000972
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-2752

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices of students regarding occupational hazards before and after entering clinical training. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was used to follow up a cohort of Belgian medical students in 2014 and 2015. Inquiries about students' characteristics, awareness, knowledge, and practices of protective measures were included. Descriptive and multivariable analyses were performed. Results: Overall, 249 (94%) students completed the preclinical questionnaire and 147 (56%) responded on both occasions. Our findings revealed that student awareness and knowledge scores were inadequate but increased after admission as trainees. Students with an accidental blood contact ( n = 43) showed no better knowledge of postexposure management than those without such an incident. Conclusions: The observed lack of awareness and knowledge regarding occupational hazards among students provides an opportunity to improve basic education and training environments.