Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Regarding the use of Hazmat Kitamong Dental Professionals

Background: One of the most challenging aspects of providing medical care is attending to patients who have been contaminated with hazardous materials. HAZMAT is a term used to describe incidents involving hazardous materials or specialized teams who deal with these incidents. Hazardous materials are defined as substances that have the potential to harm a person or the environment upon contact. These can be gases, liquids, or solids and include radioactive and chemical materials. Biological organisms, such as viruses and bacteria, are also included among hazardous materials. Hospitals are required to protect their employees from the exposure of these materials that may occur as a result of patient care. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of healthcare professionals regarding Hazmat kit and its use in healthcare settings. Methods: A questionnaire comprising the KAP model's constructs, i.e. knowledge and attitude towards the use of Hazmat kit, as well as Hazmat kit practices, was used to collect data. The two constructs, knowledge and attitude, which are the main determinants of the KAP model were found to independently predict health care providers practices of managing hazardous spills. Knowledge of spill management was found to be the strongest predictor. Therefore, it is recommended that the hospitals and universities focus on the knowledge and attitude towards Hazmat kits in order to enhance their practices in hazardous spill management.