Post-Exposure Prophylaxis: Knowledge and Practice Among General Dental Practitioners in Hamadan, Iran

Abstract

Background: Proper and timely post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) after needle stick exposure to high-risk body fluids significantly reduces occupational transmission. Objectives: This study was conducted with the aim of demonstrating the level of knowledge and practice amongst general dental practitioners in Hamadan city, Iran in 2013 -14, in terms of prevention after dealing with blood-borne pathogens. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, all general dental practitioners in Hamadan provided information on their preventative approach after dealing with blood-borne pathogens, via a pretested self-administered questionnaire in three parts. The first part consisted of demographic features, the second part (15 questions) demonstrated knowledge level, and the last part (5 questions) measured dentists' practice in terms of prevention after dealing with blood-borne pathogens. Data from the 82 questionnaires was analyzed using SPSS 16 software, Mann-Whitney, and chi-square test (α = 0.05).