Medical students' risk of infection with bloodborne viruses at home and abroad: questionnaire survey

Objective To determine risks of exposure to and prevention of bloodborne vi rus infections among medical students during their elective period. Design Questionnaire study of students returning from their electives in 19 97-8. Setting Urban teaching hospital. Subjects 220 final year medical students. Results 148 students (67%) returned questionnaires; all had been vaccinated against hepatitis B. 65 respondents (44%) had visited areas of relatively high endemicity for HIV, although 27 (42%) of these, all of whom had visite d areas other than sub-Saharan Africa, were unaware of this. AU but one had discussed their elective with advisers. Four students experienced percutan eous or mucosal exposure to potentially infectious body fluids, three in ar eas with a high prevalence of HIV infection. 44 respondents (30%) had exper ienced at least one such exposure during their clinical training; 75% of th ese exposures were unreported. 34% (13/38) students who visited areas known to have a high prevalence of HIV infection took with them a starter pack o f zidovudine for post-exposure prophylaxis; 53% (20) took latex gloves and 63% (24) a medi-kit None of the 27 students who were unaware that the areas they visited had a relatively high prevalence of HIV infection took zidovu dine; only 15% (4) took gloves and 30% (8) a medi-kit. Conclusions Medical schools should produce, regularly update, and implement guidelines regarding protection from bloodborne viruses during clinical st udies, including electives. Education and training in infection control sho uld start at the earliest opportunity.