A STUDY ON HEALTH OUTCOMES AND HYGIENE MEASURES IN CADAVERIC DISSECTION AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS
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Keywords
Cadaveric dissection, medical students, health outcomes, hygiene practices, formalin exposure, infection risk, anatomy education, psychological effects, dissection hall safety
Abstract
Background:
Cadaveric dissection, considered the cornerstone of anatomy education, provides essential hands-on learning for medical students. However, exposure to formalin and cadaveric material may lead to health issues and infection risks if proper hygiene is not maintained.
Aim:
To study the physical and psychological health outcomes and assess hygiene measures followed by medical students during cadaveric dissection.
Material and Methods
A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted from October 2023 to September 2024 among 150 first-year MBBS students in the Department of Anatomy. Students meeting the inclusion criteria completed a structured questionnaire assessing symptoms and hygiene practices. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and p-values for significance.
Results:
Among 150 participants (54% male, 46% female), common symptoms included eye irritation (48%), emotional distress (37%), nausea (30%), and headache (26%). Most symptoms were statistically significant (p < 0.001) except eye irritation (p = 0.708). Regarding hygiene, 93.3% used gloves, 90% wore lab coats, 86.7% washed hands, but only 63.3% wore face masks. Additionally, 80% were aware of infection risks, and 73.3% reported adequate ventilation.
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Dr. Khushboo Rajput
Assistant Professor) Department of Anatomy, Dr. B.S Kushwah Institute of Medical Sciences, Kanpur
Dr. Shalini Singh
Junior Resident) Department of Anatomy, Sarojini Naidu Medical College, Agra.
Dr. Challa Maheswara Rao
Assistant Professor) Department of Anatomy, Great Eastern Medical School Srikakulam Andhra Pradesh. Pin-532484.