BIOSAFETY TEACHING TO UNIVERSITY GRADUATES AND STUDENTS: OUR EXPERIENCE.

S. GOLDSTEIN DE FINK; C. STANGANELLI; J.M.TOMIO

Ouro Preto, Brasil

Congreso; V CONGRESO BRASILEÑO DE BIOSEGURIDAD Y V SIMPOSIO LATINOAMERICANO DE PRODUCTOS TRANSGENICOS; 2007

Associaçao Nacional de Biossegurança (ANBIO)

The World Health Organization has recommended at its fifty-eight world health assembly (WHA 58.29, May 25 2005) the enhancement of laboratory Biosafety. The WHO notes that an integrated approach to laboratory Biosafety, including containment of microbiological agents and toxins, promotes global public health. In Argentina Biosafety is included as a minor subject of very few University programs. We have been teaching different Biosafety courses to University graduates and students. Some courses included a wide array of subjects (Biosafety levels, Containment, Good laboratory practices, Disinfection and sterilization, Chemical risk, Other risks in the laboratory, Waste management, Legal frame, Laboratory animals, Transportation), with times ranging from 3 mornings to 5 full days. Other courses had a more restricted scope and lasted from 1 to 3 hours. Students were asked to reply to a series of questions that included the following: 1) Previous knowledge of the subject: 38% answered yes, 53% some (most of them in both groups had never consulted a material safety data sheet), 9% no. 2)Usefulness of what was explained: 100% yes. 3) Applicability to their daily work: 100 % yes. 4) Change on the perception of risk in their work area (before/after the course):  86% yes, 5% some, 9% no. In their comments they stated that this information should have been given while at University. In other courses attendants were required to answer about 1) need for this kind of course. Yes 80%. 2) usefulness/applicability. Yes 90 %. 9% no. 2)Usefulness of what was explained: 100% yes. 3) Applicability to their daily work: 100 % yes. 4) Change on the perception of risk in their work area (before/after the course):  86% yes, 5% some, 9% no. In their comments they stated that this information should have been given while at University. In other courses attendants were required to answer about 1) need for this kind of course. Yes 80%. 2) usefulness/applicability. Yes 90 %. 9% no. 2)Usefulness of what was explained: 100% yes. 3) Applicability to their daily work: 100 % yes. 4) Change on the perception of risk in their work area (before/after the course):  86% yes, 5% some, 9% no. In their comments they stated that this information should have been given while at University. In other courses attendants were required to answer about 1) need for this kind of course. Yes 80%. 2) usefulness/applicability. Yes 90 %. 9% no. 2)Usefulness of what was explained: 100% yes. 3) Applicability to their daily work: 100 % yes. 4) Change on the perception of risk in their work area (before/after the course):  86% yes, 5% some, 9% no. In their comments they stated that this information should have been given while at University. In other courses attendants were required to answer about 1) need for this kind of course. Yes 80%. 2) usefulness/applicability. Yes 90 %. 9% no. 2)Usefulness of what was explained: 100% yes. 3) Applicability to their daily work: 100 % yes. 4) Change on the perception of risk in their work area (before/after the course):  86% yes, 5% some, 9% no. In their comments they stated that this information should have been given while at University. In other courses attendants were required to answer about 1) need for this kind of course. Yes 80%. 2) usefulness/applicability. Yes 90 %. 9% no. 2)Usefulness of what was explained: 100% yes. 3) Applicability to their daily work: 100 % yes. 4) Change on the perception of risk in their work area (before/after the course):  86% yes, 5% some, 9% no. In their comments they stated that this information should have been given while at University. In other courses attendants were required to answer about 1) need for this kind of course. Yes 80%. 2) usefulness/applicability. Yes 90 %. Our experience in the prevention-training of workers in research and clinical areas strongly suggests that it is mandatory to include Biosafety in the curriculum of undergraduate and/or graduate University students. This is necessary in order to incorporate good laboratory practices from the very beginning and meet occupational health and safety requirements in the biomedical/ microbiology environment.