BACKGROUND Findings of a needlestick survey at our institution yielded an estimate that 1 case of occupationally acquired human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among the approximately 1100 residents and third- and fourth-year medical students would potentially occur every 2 to 3 years, and also revealed types of exposures, circumstances, rates of reporting, and reasons for not reporting. OBJECTI...

BACKGROUND Nursing students, like other healthcare students, are at high risk of occupational exposure to blood and bodily fluids. Studies have shown that use of the Universal Precautions (UPs) lowers this risk, but do students know and practise these precautions? OBJECTIVES This study investigated the knowledge and practice of undergraduate nursing students regarding the UPs, and whether the...

This study investigated knowledge of and practices towards universal precautions among 540 health care workers and medical students in 2 university hospitals in Mazandaran Province, Islamic Republic of Iran. Only 65.8% and 90.0% staff in the 2 hospitals and 53.5% of medical students had heard about universal precautions. Overall, there was a low understanding of precautions, except concerning d...

Health care workers are exposed to blood-borne pathogens, mainly the human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus. Infection by these viruses leads to chronic or fatal illnesses which are expensive and difficult to treat. Individuals who harbour these viruses may be asymptomatic and hence all patients should be assumed to harbour a blood-borne pathogen. All health care ...