ABSTRACT

Healthcare professionals are exposed to many job hazards. Among these there are infections, injuries, allergies, violence and stress. These risks can be reduced by following the rules of job safety and prevention from injuries. In this descriptive study universe was the first grade and senior medical students. Questionnaires were prepared by the researchers. Permissions required were obtained from ethical committee and medical faculty administration. All of the first grade and senior students were aimed to reach, however 68 out of 69 first grade students (98.5%) and 77 out of 113 senior students (70.1%) completed the questionnaire and entered into the study. The average knowledge level about the diseases transmitted with body fluids and blood was 83.8% in first grade students and 90.9% in senior students, and the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.10). The average knowledge level of first grade students about the occupational exposure precautions was higher than that of the senior students, and this difference was statistically significant considering the use of eye glasses and doctor coat (p=0.02 and 0.01, respectively). In this study, senior students’ knowledge level about health risks arising from occupational exposure was not as high as expected when compared to first grade students although they had more knowledge in comparison to first grade students.

Keywords: Knowledge level, occupational exposure, medical school students