Ippoliti Lorenzo, Coppeta Luca, Buonomo Ersilia, Somma Giuseppina, Bizzarro Giuseppe, Ferrari Cristiana, Mazza Andrea, Paolino Agostino, Salvi Claudia, Caputi Vittorio, Pietroiusti Antonio, Magrini Andrea
Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy.
Faculty of Medicine, Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, 00131 Rome, Italy.
Diseases. 2025 Jan 10;13(1):11. doi: 10.3390/diseases13010011.
(1) Background: Exposure to blood carries the risk of transmission of many infectious diseases. Healthcare workers (HCWs), including hospital-based medical students, face high and often under-reported rates of exposure to needlestick and sharps injuries. Previous studies have shown that students' knowledge of infection control varies, highlighting the importance of pre-placement training. This study aims to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding these risks in a population of medical students from Albania. (2) Methods: A validated questionnaire was administered to 134 medical students in an Italian hospital in May 2023. It assessed HBV vaccination status, adherence to infection control practices, knowledge of pathogen transmission, exposure incidents and attitudes towards infected patients. Three additional questions addressed air-borne transmission of tuberculosis and vaccination recommendations for healthcare workers. (3) Results: Most students (64%) reported being aware of occupational exposure risks. While 93% and 87%, respectively, recognised HIV and HBV as blood-borne pathogens, fewer recognised Treponema pallidum (44%). Awareness of post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV was high (85%), but although 75% reported having received training, only 45% felt it was adequate. Statistical analysis revealed an association between knowledge of infection control, awareness of pathogen transmission and understanding of the importance of vaccination. (4) Conclusions: Our study highlights gaps in medical students' knowledge of occupational infections and highlights the need for improved pre-clerkship education. Improved education could reduce anxiety, ethical issues and misconceptions and promote safer healthcare practices.
(1) 背景：接触血液存在传播多种传染病的风险。医护人员，包括医院实习医学生，面临针刺伤和锐器伤的高暴露率，且此类暴露率常常未得到充分报告。以往研究表明，学生对感染控制的知识各不相同，这凸显了岗前培训的重要性。本研究旨在评估阿尔巴尼亚医学生群体对这些风险的知识、态度和实践情况。(2) 方法：2023年5月，在一家意大利医院对134名医学生进行了一份经过验证的问卷调查。该问卷评估了乙肝疫苗接种状况、对感染控制措施的遵守情况、病原体传播知识、暴露事件以及对感染患者的态度。另外三个问题涉及结核病的空气传播以及医护人员的疫苗接种建议。(3) 结果：大多数学生（64%）报告知晓职业暴露风险。虽然分别有93%和87%的学生认识到艾滋病毒和乙肝病毒是血源性病原体，但认识到梅毒螺旋体的学生较少（44%）。对艾滋病毒暴露后预防的知晓率较高（85%），但尽管75%的学生报告接受过培训，但只有45%的学生认为培训足够。统计分析显示，感染控制知识、病原体传播意识与对疫苗接种重要性的理解之间存在关联。(4) 结论：我们的研究突出了医学生在职业感染知识方面的差距，并强调了改进临床实习前教育的必要性。改进教育可以减少焦虑、伦理问题和误解，并促进更安全的医疗实践。
