Global prevalence, risk factors, and reporting practice of needlestick and sharps injuries among dental students: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huang, J.; Li, N.; Xu, H.; Liu, Y.; An, N.; Cai, Z.
• Is Part Of: Journal of hospital infection. Volume 129(2022)
• Page Start: 89
• Page End: 101
• Publication Date: 2022-11
• Subjects: Needlestick injury -- Sharps injury -- Occupational exposure -- Infection control -- Dental student -- Dental education; Cross infection -- Periodicals; Cross infection -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Infection Control -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.44
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2022.06.015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-6701

Abstract

Summary: Background: Dental students are vulnerable to needlestick injuries (NSIs) due to their inadequate training. However, the global prevalence of NSI among dental students is unknown. Aim: To determine the pooled prevalence among dental students, epidemiological profile, and risk factors for NSI. Methods: A systematic review was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The review protocol was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD 42022312778). Eligible studies were identified from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, OVID, and EBSCO databases. A meta-analysis with a random effects model was performed to estimate the pooled prevalence, and meta-regression was conducted to explore heterogeneity among studies. Findings: A total of 25 studies from 15 countries met the inclusion criteria. The estimated pooled prevalence of NSI among dental students was 44% (95% confidence interval: 38–51%). Local anaesthesia, tooth cleaning or scaling, and waste disposal were associated with highest risk for NSI. Most studies observed under-reporting of NSI. Dental students had inadequate knowledge regarding post-exposure management. Conclusion: Dental students had a high prevalence and low reporting rate of NSI exposure. Inadequate knowledge might increase the probability of NSI exposure.