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Knowledge and perception about biosafety in medical students

Abstract:

Medical students can be exposed to serious health care-associated infections, if they are not following prevention and control measures. There is limited information on medical students' knowledge and perception of biosafety and the educational approaches used to teach these practices. The objective was to evaluate the knowledge and perception of medical students towards basic biosafety practices. A descriptive and cross-sectional, interview-based survey included 120 medical students from the Autonomous Regional University of the Andes, Ecuador. The students completed a questionnaire on knowledge and perception regarding biosafety practices. The knowledge of the students was evaluated by their correct answers to the questions of the instrument. 57.5% of students comply with biosafety measures. Most of the students perceive a high risk of exposure through different routes with different pathogens, the most reported argument was that an accident can occur. It was observed that 81 (67.5%) of the students showed adequate knowledge about biosafety, while 39 showed the opposite. Biosafety knowledge was good although more emphasis is needed to improve their knowledge in sections such as gloving technique, time to put on the cap and what is an antiseptic substance. Infection Prevention and Control courses can be taught beginning in your first year of college education.