Table 2. Frequency of occupational exposures among medical (N = 73) and nursing (N = 37) students according to type of injury, site of occurrence and reasons attributed to the occurrence of exposures.

Variables	Occupational exposures
	Medical students		Nursing students
	N	%	N	%
Cutting and piercing injuries	41	56.2	27	73.0
Suture needles	25	34.2	0
Hollow needles	10	13.7	25	67.6
Blades	6	8.2	2	5.4
Body fluids	32	43.8	10	27.0
Blood	26	35.6	4	10.8
Others	6a	8.2	6b	16.2
Site of occurrence c
Emergency room	29	39.7	2	5.6
Operating room	23	31.5	10	27.8
Obstetric center	13	17.8	0
Medical clinic ward	1	1.4	9	25.0
Pediatric clinic ward	1	1.4	7	19.4
Others	6d	8.2	8e	22.2
Reason for exposure f
Lack of technical preparation	20	27.4	7	18.9
Distraction	20	27.4	16	43.2
Tiredness	9	12.3	6	16.2
Lack of tutorial support	9	12.3	1	2.7
Lack of PPE	5	6.8	2	5.4
Lack of care from others	4	5.5	0
Others	10g	13.7	6h	16.2

^aNasal secretion (n = 1), amniotic liquid (n = 1), synovial liquid (n = 1), not informed (n = 3).

^bnasal secretion (n = 4), not informed (n = 2).

^cpercentages calculated considering the valid responses.

^doutpatient surgery (n = 4), meeting room (n = 1), maternity ward (n = 1).

^eIntensive care unit (n = 4); blood bank (n = 1); infectious diseases ward (n = 1), vaccination (n = 1), maternity ward (n = 1).

^fstudent could choose more than one alternative.

^gpatient movements (n = 2); defects in the equipment (n = 1); not specified (n = 7).

^hnervousness (n = 1); haste (n = 1); peer pressure (n = 1); not specified (n = 3).