EVALUATION OF HAND HYGIENE COMPLIANCE AMONG BACHELOR OF DENTAL SURGERY STUDENTS DURING CLINICAL PATIENT ROTATIONS

Abdul  Samad; Muhammad Ilyas; Mahin Ather; Aleena Jabir

Authors

Abdul Samad Bolan medical college quetta, Pakistan. Author
Muhammad Ilyas Bolan Medical College Quetta, Pakistan. Author https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5419-1926
Mahin Ather Bolan medical college Quetta, Pakistan. Author
Aleena Jabir Bolan medical college, Quetta, Pakistan. Author https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3322-0011

Keywords:

Cross-Sectional Studies, Dental Students, Hand Disinfection, Hand Hygiene, Infection Control, Patient Safety, Risk Factors

Abstract

Background: Hand hygiene is a cornerstone of infection prevention, yet compliance among healthcare trainees often falls below recommended standards. Dental students, who are frequently exposed to blood, saliva, and aerosolized particles, represent a critical population for evaluating adherence to infection control practices.

Objective: To assess the level of hand hygiene compliance among Bachelor of Dental Surgery students during clinical patient rotations and identify factors influencing adherence.

Methods: A four-month cross-sectional study was conducted at a dental teaching institution in Lahore. A total of 216 third-, fourth-, and final-year dental students were observed using a validated World Health Organization (WHO) “Five Moments for Hand Hygiene” checklist. Each participant was monitored during five patient encounters, yielding 5,400 total hand hygiene opportunities. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, chi-square tests, and one-way ANOVA with a significance level of p < 0.05.

Results: Overall compliance was 50.8%, with the highest adherence observed after exposure to body fluids (73.9%) and the lowest after contact with patient surroundings (20.8%). Female students demonstrated higher compliance than males (54.7% vs. 45.2%, p = 0.02). Final-year students achieved the highest overall adherence (56.8%), followed by fourth-year (51.3%) and third-year students (44.9%) (p = 0.01). Compliance during surgical procedures (62.4%) exceeded that of non-surgical interventions (46.7%, p = 0.03).

Conclusion: Hand hygiene compliance among dental students was moderate and varied by gender, academic level, and clinical procedure type. Targeted education and reinforcement are essential to improve adherence and reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections.

Author Biographies

Abdul Samad, Bolan medical college quetta, Pakistan.

BDS, Bolan medical college quetta, Pakistan.
Muhammad Ilyas, Bolan Medical College Quetta, Pakistan.

Bolan Medical College Quetta, Pakistan.
Mahin Ather, Bolan medical college Quetta, Pakistan.

Bolan medical college Quetta, Pakistan.
Aleena Jabir, Bolan medical college, Quetta, Pakistan.

4th year student, studying BDS at Bolan medical college, Quetta, Pakistan.

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