Needlestick injuries among French medical students.

Needlestick Injuries Among French Medical Students Eric Rosenthal, MD, Christian Pradier, MD, Olivia Keita-Perse, MD, Joëlle Altare, MD, Pierre Dellamonica, MD, Jill-Patrice Cassuto, MD ALTHOUGH THE RISK OF HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV) infection through occupational exposures to blood has received considerable attention, relatively few studies have addressed blood exposure accidents (BEAs) among medical students. Guidelines for preventing needlestick injuries and administrating postneedlestick HIV prophylaxis are available, but these guidelines may be unfamiliar to medical students. This study investigates BEA exposure, BEA reporting, and use of universal precautions in a population of French medical students. Methods An anonymous questionnaire was administered to medical students in the fourth, fifth, and sixth years of training at Nice University, France. Students answered questions regarding the use of gloves, handling of sharps, and personal exposure to needlestick injuries (BEAs). Information on risk reduction behaviors, number of BEAs, BEA reporting, and BEA management was collected. Data were analysed with Epi-Info 6.04a and BMDP software.