Survey of knowledge, perceptions and practices regarding biosafety of medical students in the Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University in Academic Year 2019

Abstract

Objectives  The study was designed to identify differences and correlations among the knowledge, perceptions and practices regarding biosafety of medical students in the Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University.

Methods This cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study was conducted with 321 2^nd through 5^th year medical students via a self-administered questionnaire survey.

Results  In the area of knowledge of biosafety, the 2^nd year students had more knowledge regarding disinfection with 70% alcohol and cleaning materials than 3^rd and 5^th year students (p = 0.023 and p = 0.002, respectively). There was a greater lack of knowledge regarding biohazard signs (p = 0.01 and p = 0.001) and biosafety levels (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001) among clinical students than among 2^nd year students. As to perceptions regarding biosafety, clinical students tended to ignore risks of infection from their used ward clothes (p = 0.008 and p = 0.003), lack of hand washing (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001), and cleaning their lab coat or ward coat (p = 0.007 and p = 0.013) more than the 2^nd year students.  In the area of practice of biosafety, incorrect practices were more common among clinical students than 2^nd year students, e.g., cleaning the lab bench after working with human pathogens (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001), bringing food and drinks into the operating area (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001), and improperly disposing of infectious-trash (p = 0.006 and p = 0.007).  Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient showed strong correlations among the level of agreement with statements regarding wearing shoes coverings in a biosafety level 2 laboratory (r = 0.404), disposing of contaminated lab gloves, gauze, and cotton (r = 0.479), and decontaminating accidentally spilled chemicals/specimens (r = 0.474), as well as the frequency of cleaning the lab bench after working (r = 0.430), performing microbiology activities without using aseptic techniques (r = 0.524), and wearing laboratory slippers inside a laboratory or ward (r = 0.442) with the average perception and practice scores of the 2^nd to 5^th year students.

Conclusions Clinical students tended to ignore some important knowledge, perceptions and practices. There were strong correlations in the average scores of statements regarding perceptions and practices.  A campaign should be instituted to improve knowledge, establish correct attitudes and promote appropriate practice related to biosafety.