Injury rate and incidence of accidents with biological risk among infirmary students

BACKGROUND: A study of the incidence and characteristics of biological acci dents among infirmary students during their practicals at the hospital. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective study carried out at five centres by m eans of two questionnaires, one on the duration of the trining and the rate of accidents and the other on the characteristics, precautions and ports e xposure behaviour. RESULTS: Out Of 397 students, 70,5% had accidents at a tate of 64% (CI 95%, 59-68]. Of these, 15% were accidents with biological risk, the majority be ing jabs (39%) and splashes (32,5%). It is worth note that 49,2% occurred w hile putting away the material and 58% in the absence of any individual pro tective measures. One out of 8 accidents implied a biological risk. CONCLUSIONs: A very high rate of accidents was observed with important defi ciencies in security.