This study assessed the impact of several interventions, including predeparture simulation training and procedure logs, on incidence needlestick injuries (NSIs) among U.S. medical students on global health (GH) elective in Botswana. Review of NSI incident reports before and after introduction of these interventions demonstrated a reduction in the number of splash and body fluid exposures (n = 5 [6%] vs n = 21 [23%]; P < .001), respectively. Simple predeparture training is highly effective in reducing NSIs among students participating in GH electives.
Keywords: Global health; Medical student; Needlestick injury; Occupational health.
Copyright © 2014 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.