Global prevalence, risk factors, and reporting practice of needlestick and sharps injuries among dental students: a systematic review and meta-analysis

J Huang; N Li; H Xu; Y Liu; N An; Z Cai

doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2022.06.015

Global prevalence, risk factors, and reporting practice of needlestick and sharps injuries among dental students: a systematic review and meta-analysis

J Hosp Infect. 2022 Nov:129:89-101. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2022.06.015. Epub 2022 Jul 1.

Authors

J Huang¹, N Li², H Xu³, Y Liu¹, N An¹, Z Cai⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of General Dentistry Ⅱ, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China; National Center of Stomatology, Beijing, China; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Beijing, China; National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology, Beijing, China; Research Center of Engineering and Technology for Computerized Dentistry Ministry of Health, Beijing, China.
² Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.
³ National Center of Stomatology, Beijing, China; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Beijing, China; National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology, Beijing, China; Research Center of Engineering and Technology for Computerized Dentistry Ministry of Health, Beijing, China; Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China.
⁴ National Center of Stomatology, Beijing, China; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Beijing, China; National Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Digital Medical Devices, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Digital Stomatology, Beijing, China; Research Center of Engineering and Technology for Computerized Dentistry Ministry of Health, Beijing, China; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China. Electronic address: c2013xs@163.com.

PMID: 35781020
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2022.06.015

Abstract

Background: Dental students are vulnerable to needlestick injuries (NSIs) due to their inadequate training. However, the global prevalence of NSI among dental students is unknown.

Aim: To determine the pooled prevalence among dental students, epidemiological profile, and risk factors for NSI.

Methods: A systematic review was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The review protocol was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD 42022312778). Eligible studies were identified from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, OVID, and EBSCO databases. A meta-analysis with a random effects model was performed to estimate the pooled prevalence, and meta-regression was conducted to explore heterogeneity among studies.

Findings: A total of 25 studies from 15 countries met the inclusion criteria. The estimated pooled prevalence of NSI among dental students was 44% (95% confidence interval: 38-51%). Local anaesthesia, tooth cleaning or scaling, and waste disposal were associated with highest risk for NSI. Most studies observed under-reporting of NSI. Dental students had inadequate knowledge regarding post-exposure management.

Conclusion: Dental students had a high prevalence and low reporting rate of NSI exposure. Inadequate knowledge might increase the probability of NSI exposure.

Keywords: Dental education; Dental student; Infection control; Needlestick injury; Occupational exposure; Sharps injury.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Systematic Review
Review

MeSH terms

Humans
Needlestick Injuries* / epidemiology
Needlestick Injuries* / etiology
Prevalence
Risk Factors
Students, Dental