Epidemiology of sharp injuries and hepatitis b vaccination among Sudanese dental house officers

Abstract

Occupational sharps injuries have been investigated among dental healthcare personnel but none have reported findings from Sudan. Data on hepatitis B vaccination is scanty among dental practitioners. The aim of the survey is to describe the epidemiology of sharps injuries and hepatitis B vaccination among dental house officers. A cross-sectional survey using an anonymous questionnaire was used to collect data from 161 dental house officers at a tertiary dental care facility in Khartoum. The response rate was 95%. Sharps injuries were experienced by 37.3% of house officers. Most injuries were caused by hollow bore needles (73.3%). The one hand scoop technique was practiced by 87.6% and 60.2% used sharps disposal containers. The surgery department was the major source of incident reporting (65.5%). Most of the injured house officers did not report their injury (90%). Only 32.9% were aware of a post exposure prophylaxis protocol at the hospital. Full vaccination against hepatitis B was reported by 43.5% of respondents and 6.7% received prophylaxis for hepatitis B. Adequate education and training; provision of hepatitis B vaccination and up-scaling of dental facilities to meet safer dental practices will help to reduce sharps injuries and improve hepatitis B vaccination.