Awareness Regarding Cross-Contamination Control among Post-Graduate Residents

Abstract

Background: Cross-infection during clinical training can occur when an infectious pathogen is transmitted between a medical staff and a patient in the clinical setting. Dental professionals, including dental/oral hygienists, doctors and P. A’s, are always at high risk of getting HIV and / or hepatitis B. Cross-infection is well-defined as “spread/transfer of infection amongst staff and patients in clinic or hospital setting”. Methods: Questionnaire based Cross-sectional study was done on post-graduate residents of the Multan dental college Multan. 58 post-graduate residents took part in our research. Universal sampling was done for collection of data. Partakers signed an informed consent. Results: Fifty-eight postgraduate residents completed the form. Males were eighteen while ladies were forty.79% participants believe that dental setups/hospitals are more liable to contamination compared to other healthcare areas. All PGR’s believe that vaccination against the hepatitis B virus is obligatory for a dental professional and they maintain additional precautions generally whenever dealing AIDS & hepatitis B, C patients. 93% residents wash their hands regularly after treating each & every patient and indicated that use of PPE plays an important role in preventing cross-contamination. 96.5% of subjects were conscious whenever handling sharp instruments. Majority of these PGR’s use facemask & gloves nevertheless Protective eyewear, aprons & head-caps were not used by most of them. Conclusion: Participants showed satisfactory awareness about cross-contamination control. Knowledge gained must also be transferred to their daily practice. Dental institutes should also focus on establishing policies to control cross-contamination at the institutional level.