Limited knowledge and practice of Chinese medical students regarding health-care associated infections

Abstract

Introduction: Health-care associated infections (HCAIs) occur worldwide and affect both patients and health-care workers (HCWs), including medical students. This study aimed to investigate HCAI risks associated with clinical medical students attending Shantou University Medical College (SUMC) and the effectiveness of their learning resources. Methodology: Four cohorts (n = 272) of medical students participated in a questionnaire-based survey was done on (year 5 in the 5-year program and years 5 to 7 in the 7-year program) undergoing internship training in 14 teaching hospitals in Guangdong, China. Results: The mean overall score of the students was 52.54 ± 0.45 (mean ± SE). Students received fairly good scores in hand hygiene (77.57 ± 0.77) and HCAI source (63.16 ± 1.18); relatively weak scores in the isolation precautions (44.59 ± 0.55), HCW safety (45.59 ± 0.86), and personal protective equipment (57.64 ± 0.60); and the weakest scores in HCA-pathogen identification (27.44 ± 0.81). The year of education (r = 0.089, P = 0.144, n = 272) or internship placement (r = 0.077, P = 0.206, n = 272) had no significant influence on their level of knowledge. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that medical students at SUMC have limited knowledge and practice regarding HCAI due to substantial deficiencies in their learning resources. Review of medical curricula, improvement in preclinical and clinical training, and surveillance and monitoring of practicing HCWs are urgently needed to minimize risk of HCAIs in patients and HCWs.