Infection Control Compliance, Sharps Injuries, and Occupational Exposure Among Dental Students and Interns in Yemen: A Multi-University Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION Dental trainees are at risk of sharps injuries and bloodborne pathogen exposure.

Objective

This study evaluated infection prevention and control (IPC) knowledge, personal protective equipment (PPE) compliance, sharps injuries, and hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination coverage among dental trainees in Yemen.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 544 senior dental students and interns. A validated questionnaire assessed IPC knowledge, practices, HBV vaccination status, and occupational exposures. Factors associated with compliance were examined using university-adjusted logistic regression.

Results

Most participants demonstrated good IPC knowledge (97.4%; mean score: 8.08 ± 1.12), although only 6.1% correctly identified airborne/droplet transmission as the primary dental exposure route. Based on a composite 16-item score, 68.9% of participants achieved good overall compliance (mean score: 10.56 ± 3.04); however, compliance was highly item-specific, and itemized analysis showed critically low use of protective eyewear (17.8% always compliant) and face shields (14.3%). Sharps injuries were reported by 67.1% of participants, but only 33.2% reported incidents to supervisors. HBV vaccination coverage was 52.8%, with 29.2% completing the three-dose series. IPC training and higher knowledge scores independently predicted good compliance. Additionally, 16.4% of female trainees reported using a niqab instead of a surgical mask during clinical procedures.

Conclusions

Dental trainees in Yemen experience high rates of sharps injuries, incomplete HBV vaccination, and inadequate PPE use. Strengthening IPC training, vaccination programs, and occupational safety policies is needed to improve infection control compliance and trainee safety.