Knowledge, attitudes and practices about hepatitis B in dentists, dental students, interns and auxiliaries in Jammu and Kashmir- an epidemiological study

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Original Article

Author Details : Ajay Kumar, Shafait Ullah Khateeb, Ahmad Bedeiwi Alghamdi, Sumaya Yousuf Jeri, Vibhuti Kaul

Volume : 3, Issue : 1, Year : 2017

Article Page : 38-42

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Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B is a silent epidemic. The Hepatitis B virus has only human reservoir. Dental professionals are at an increased risk of contracting this highly infectious disease due to the nature of their work.
Aim: To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of first year, second year, third year, fourth year BDS students, dental interns, practicing dentists and the dental auxiliaries about Hepatitis B infection.
Materials and methods: A pre-tested, self-administered cross-sectional survey containing 16 questions about various aspects of Hepatitis B was conducted among 354 subjects.
Statistical analysis: Descriptive statistics were carried out and statistical tools such as Chi-square test and contingency coefficient (CC) were employed. A P-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. All P-values were two tailed.
Results: The response rate was 100% (n=354). Majority of the dental professionals were aware of the hepatitis B infection and transmission. Their knowledge about the vaccination schedule and post exposure prophylaxis was lower. The dental auxiliaries showed a very know level of knowledge and awareness in all the questions.
Conclusion: Overall good awareness level in the professionals studied but a less than satisfactory level in the auxiliary workers. Amongst the professionals, the first and second year students showed a relatively lower level of awareness.

Keywords: Awareness, Knowledge, Practices, Hepatitis B virus, HBV, Vaccination, Dental professionals, Dental auxiliaries

How to cite : Kumar A, Khateeb S U, Alghamdi A B, Jeri S Y, Kaul V, Knowledge, attitudes and practices about hepatitis B in dentists, dental students, interns and auxiliaries in Jammu and Kashmir- an epidemiological study. Int J Oral Health Dent 2017;3(1):38-42

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