BACKGROUND

To assess the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice among Iranian dental healthcare professionals towards standard isolation precautions in Shiraz, Iran.

METHODS

This study was a cross-sectional survey which was conducted on 152 Iranian dental professionals (faculty and students) from School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. A self-administered questionnaire containing three parts (knowledge, attitude, and practice) was distributed to the participants. After validation of the survey, data were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

The survey was completed by 152 (51.5%) of 295 potential respondents. The mean+/-SD scores of knowledge, attitude, and practice towards standard isolation precautions were 6.71+/-0.99, 34.99+/-4.47, and 4.97+/-2.17 from the maximum scores of 9, 45, and 9, respectively. In addition, a positive linear correlation was found between the two items of the survey including knowledge-attitude (r= 0.394, P<0.001), and attitude and practice (r= 0.317, P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Practice of standard isolation precautions is poor among dental professionals in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. This study showed that knowledge of infection control measures and a positive attitude towards them alone does not have an impact on adherence to recommendations.