Evaluation of a preclinical, educational and skills-training program to improve students' use of blood and body fluid precautions: one-year follow-up.

Background: Little is known about long-term improvements in medical students' knowledge, attitudes, and use of blood and body fluid precautions following preclinical training.
Methods: We evaluated an educational and skills-training program emphasizing double gloving for high-risk surgical procedures. Baseline surveys measuring knowledge, attitudes, and readiness to use specific precautions were completed by second-year (experimental) students before skills training and by third-year students (control) after their first clinical year. Follow-up surveys were completed 1 year later. Use of double gloves and protective eyewear during surgery clerkships was observed at baseline and follow-up.
Results: Of 149 students returning both surveys, the experimental group (n = 91) showed improvements in attitudes toward double gloving (P = 0.038) and use of double gloves during surgery at follow-up (relative risk = 1.95, 95% confidence interval = 1.06, 3.59). They expressed better attitudes toward (P = 0.003) and greater readiness to use (P = 0. 020) double gloves compared with controls at follow-up. They expressed better attitudes toward (P = 0.002) and greater readiness to use (P = 0.001) double gloves compared with controls when each had completed their first clinical year.
Conclusion: The intervention was associated with improved attitudes toward and use of double gloves during surgery. The experimental group also expressed better attitudes and readiness to use double gloves compared with controls at follow-up.
(Copyright 1999 American Health Foundation and Academic Press.)