Biosafety Cabinet handling practices and PCR laboratory SOPs compliance among undergraduate Medical students: Implications for Laboratory safety and biomolecular training
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.68041/jbpt.v2i2/04Keywords:
Laboratory Competency, Molecular Diagnostics, Medical Students, Biosafety, Biosafety Cabinet, PCR Laboratory, Standard Operating ProceduresAbstract
Background: Biosafety practices and following standard operating procedures (SOPs) are integral parts of molecular diagnostic laboratories. This study assessed the knowledge of biosafety cabinets, compliance to PCR laboratory SOPs, laboratory safety competency among undergraduate medical students and factors associated with better laboratory competency. Methods: A cross sectional analytical study (n=90) used structured questionnaires designed to gather data on biosafety cabinet knowledge, compliance with PCR laboratory SOP, awareness of contamination prevention, and laboratory safety practices. Participant characteristics and competency scores were described in terms of descriptive statistics. Independent-samples t-tests and Pearson correlation analysis were used (p value < 0.05, SPSS v.25.0). Results: 84.4% of the participants knew the term biosafety cabinets, but only 54.4% of them recognized the correct functions of a Class II biosafety cabinet. The percentage of students using high level biosafety cabinet was 33.3%. The average laboratory competence score was 27.9 ± 4.8 of 40. Students who have received biosafety training scores significantly higher in their SOP compliance (7.4 ± 1.6) compared to untrained students (5.8 ± 1.9, p < 0.001). The overall competency was significantly correlated with SOP compliance (r = 0.63, p < 0.001), biosafety knowledge with SOP compliance (r = 0.56, p < 0.001), and laboratory exposure was significantly correlated with biosafety knowledge (r = 0.44, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The competency of undergraduate medical students in biosafety and PCR laboratory practices were moderate, and there were significant deficiencies in the practices of the biosafety cabinets and in the compliance of the PCR workflow.
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