Background
Setting up good infection control practices in educational institutions is crucial
in shaping future health professionals. The implementation of standard precautions
(SPs) in Iranian dental schools has not been explored qualitatively to identify barriers
to good practice.
Methods
Twelve focus group discussions and 8 semistructured interviews were conducted with
students, residents, and staff members (n = 83) of the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Dental School. The interview guide
addressed performance, subjective norms, and behavioral control domains of SP-related
behaviors. Thematic analysis was performed manually to identify barriers to SP practices.
Results
Proximal factors of poor SP adherence were a lack of knowledge and technical difficulties.
These factors were compounded by intermediate factors in the work environment: lack
of facilities, heavy workload, patient expectations, interprofessional conflicts,
and lack of good role models. Two underlying distal factors were financial issues
and unsupportive organizational culture. The social constructionism theory was useful
in analyzing the situation and suggesting an educational approach as part of the solution.
Conclusion
Complex and intertwined barriers of SP adherence were found in this dental school.
A social construction approach may assist in addressing these problems by shifting
the culture through education to construct a contextual new knowledge. Further research
in medical sociology of SP practices would be useful.
Key Words
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Article info
Footnotes
Conflict of Interest: None declared.
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© 2014 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
