Fatima Shaukat¹*, Mishal Khan¹, Musfirah¹, Saba Shahbaz¹, Mahnoor Fatima¹, Minahil Fatima¹

¹Department of Dental Education, HITEC Institute of Medical Sciences, Dental College, Taxila, Pakistan

*Corresponding address: Department of Dental Education, HITEC Institute of Medical Sciences, Dental College, Taxila, Pakistan
Email: fatimarizwan115@gmail.com

Received: 17 September 2025 / Revised: 29 October 2025 / Accepted: 28 November 2025 / Available Online:
15 December 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.63137/jsteam.228761

ABSTRACT

Objective: Cross-infection control is critical in dental settings due to routine exposure to blood, aerosols, and
sharp instruments. Despite curricular emphasis, adherence to infection control protocols among dental students
in low-resource settings remains inconsistent. This study aimed to assess knowledge, compliance, and barriers
to infection control among Pakistani dental students using a mixed-methods approach.

Methods: A convergent mixed-methods study was conducted among 91 third- and final-year clinical dental
students at HITEC Institute of Medical Sciences, Taxila. Quantitative data were collected through a validated
questionnaire assessing knowledge (10 items), adherence (10 items), and barriers (8 items). Open-ended
questions explored perceived challenges. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS, while thematic analysis
was applied to qualitative responses. Triangulation and inter-coder reliability ensured analytical rigor.

Results: The mean knowledge score was 7.13 ± 1.45, with 73.6% of students demonstrating good-to-excellent
knowledge. High adherence was reported for glove use (97.8%), hand hygiene (97.8%), mask use (95.6%), and
sharps disposal (97.8%). However, gaps included incomplete hepatitis B vaccination (18.7%), glove misuse
(22%), and low adherence to eye protection (73.6%). Final-year students demonstrated significantly higher
adherence compared to third-year students (p = 0.048). Thematic analysis revealed six key barriers: resource
scarcity, time constraints, PPE discomfort, training gaps, supervision lapses, and systemic deficiencies.

Conclusion: While dental students exhibited strong knowledge and reported adherence, systemic and
behavioral obstacles undermine consistent compliance. Institutions must invest in structured training, consistent
supervision, and adequate resources to ensure the sustainability of infection control practices.

Keywords: Cross-infection; Dental students; Infection control; Personal protective equipment; Surveys and
questionnaires

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This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International.

How to Cite: Shaukat F et al., Assessing Knowledge, Adherence, and Barriers to Cross-Infection Control Measures Among Dental Students: A Mixed-Methods Study. J Sci Technol Educ Art Med. 2025;2(2):53-60