Knowledge, Practices and Perspectives of Infection Control Among Undergraduate Dentistry Students in Karachi, Pakistan

Objective: The present study was aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitudes and practices associated with infection control measures amongst undergraduate dental students at different dental schools in Karachi. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 550 undergraduates’ dental students from third and fourth year. A close-ended, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data about infection control practices, sterilization techniques and vaccination. The questionnaire also assessed students’ perspectives and attitudes toward infection control, including their perceptions of personal responsibility, risk awareness, and confidence in following preventive measures. The survey was conducted over the period from August to September 2016 and received responses from eight dental colleges in Karachi. Participants were selected through convenience sampling from these institutions, based on their accessibility and willingness to participate Results: Most students reported adherence to key infection control practices, with 96.8% washing hands after contamination and 93.5% consistently wearing gloves. However, the use of protective barriers was less prevalent; only 30.0% of students reported always wearing eye protection. Regarding vaccination status, 57.5% were vaccinated against hepatitis B, while low rates were observed for tetanus (3.3%) and tuberculosis (1.0%). Notably, 6.0% of participants reported no vaccinations at all. Conclusion: While most Karachi's undergraduate dentistry students follow basic infection control procedures, there are notable exceptions when it comes to widespread immunization and the uniform usage of protective barriers. Targeted educational programs and vaccination initiatives are recommended to strengthen infection control compliance and ensure the safety of both dental professionals and their patients.