Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Acupuncture Physicians and Medical Students Regarding Bloodborne Occupational Exposure: A Multi-Center Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Bloodborne occupational exposure poses a significant risk to acupuncture physicians and medical students, yet evidence regarding their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) remains limited. Methods: This multicenter cross-sectional study analyzed data from 224 participants recruited from hospitals in Guangzhou, Dongguan, and Shenzhen. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and logistic regression were applied to examine the associations among training, attitudes, and practice behaviors related to bloodborne occupational exposure. Results: More than half of participants (51.4%) were healthcare providers, and most (78.6%) had received relevant training. The average scores indicated generally adequate knowledge, positive attitudes, and proactive practices. SEM demonstrated that training exerted both direct effects on practice and indirect effects mediated through attitudes, highlighting the central role of attitudes and training rather than knowledge alone in shaping safe behaviors. Gender and training were significantly associated with practice outcomes, with male participants demonstrating higher practice scores than female participants. Conclusion: Acupuncture physicians and medical students exhibited adequate knowledge and positive attitudes toward bloodborne occupational exposure, while attitudes and training were strongly associated with proactive practice behaviors. Knowledge alone, without adequate training, was insufficient to promote safe practices. These findings underscore the importance of targeted and structured training programs to enhance proactive practices by fostering favorable attitudes and safe behaviors in clinical settings.