Knowledge, Attitude and Practice towards Standard Isolation Precautions among Iranian Medical Students

OBJECTIVE: Health care workers especially medical students are at risk of being exposed to blood-borne pathogens. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of medical students towards standard isolation precautions (SIP). METHODS: A standardized questionnaire was completed by 148 medical students from April to July of year 2009 to seek their knowledge, attitude and practice towards standard isolation precautions in a clinical setting at Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Iran. RESULTS: The mean score of knowledge, attitude and practice towards standard isolation precautions were 6.8±2.1 (maximum 10), 16.6±4.2 (maximum 20), and 18.05 ± 4.5 (maximum 30) respectively. Significant differences were observed between practice of female and male (P < 0.008) and also knowledge of year 6 and year 7 students (P <0.021). DISCUSSION: Education on infection control based on standard isolation precaution must be stressed and barriers of appropriate practice must be removed.