Journal of Oral Health and Oral Epidemiology

Journal of Oral Health and Oral Epidemiology

Knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding hepatitis B infection among dental interns of a private dental college in Pune, India: A questionnaire study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Aishwarya Srinivasan 1
Karishma Krishnakumar 1
Rajesh Shetty 2
Anita Babasaheb Tandale 2
Shreya Gulati 1
1 Postgraduate Student, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Dr. D. Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune, India
2 Professor, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Dr. D. Y Patil Dental College and Hospital, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune, India
10.22122/johoe.2022.195520.1242
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM: In a dental office, infections can be transmitted through several routes such as direct or indirect contact with blood, oral fluids, droplet spatter, aerosols, etc. Despite the introduction of various programs and strategies, misconceptions about the transmission of hepatitis B, prophylaxis, and vaccination remain widespread. Such lack of knowledge may create fear or discrimination toward dental management of hepatitis B positive patients; hence, it is essential to assess dental interns’ understanding of the hepatitis B disease. This study was undertaken to evaluate the awareness regarding hepatitis B virus infection amongst the interns of Dr. D. Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital, Pimpri, Pune, India.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out on 84 interns using a self- administered questionnaire with questions regarding the knowledge, infection control measures, and post exposure protocols of hepatitis B infection. The collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS software version 21.
RESULTS: The mean age of the respondents was 22.42 years. About 17.86% of the respondents were male and 82.14% were female. The results showed that 71.4% of the interns had moderate knowledge regarding hepatitis B. Only 44.04% of the interns were aware of the correct incubation period of the disease, whereas 57.14% of the interns were aware of the correct vaccination dosing schedule. About 17.86% of the interns were unaware that post-exposure prophylaxis is available for hepatitis B.
CONCLUSION: Although majority of the interns displayed moderate knowledge and good clinical practice behavior, vast improvements still need to be made with regard to the awareness of the disease itself as well as the responsibility of all dentists to prevent cross-contamination and to do no harm.
Keywords
Knowledge
Attitude
hepatitis B
Communicable Diseases
Infection Control
Cross-Sectional Studies
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Journal of Oral Health and Oral Epidemiology
Volume 11, Issue 2
Spring 2022
Pages 74-80

  • Receive Date 01 January 2021
  • Revise Date 19 May 2022
  • Accept Date 22 May 2022