HEPATITIS B--A KILLER STUDY OF AWARENESS AND PRACTICE AMONG DENTAL STUDENTS REGARDING HEPATITIS B INFECTION AND PREVENTION

• Published in: Journal of evolution of medical and dental sciences Vol. 6; no. 91; p. 6460
• Main Authors: Ray, Satyajit Sundar, Pattnaik, Satyajit, Sharma, Anil Kumar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Akshantala Enterprises Private Limited 27.11.2017
• Subjects: Beliefs, opinions and attitudes; Dental students; Health aspects; Hepatitis B; Prevention
• ISSN: 2278-4748; 2278-4802
• DOI: 10.14260/jemds/2017/1404

BACKGROUND Hepatitis B is one of the major infectious diseases of mankind globally. The risk of occupational exposure to HBV, especially among students in health professions is a major concern. Awareness regarding this serious preventable disease was lacking among them. This study was conducted to assess the level of awareness and practice among dental students regarding hepatitis B infection and prevention. MATERIALS AND METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2014 to April 2014. A total of 269 undergraduate dental students were included. Data were collected by self-administered structured questionnaire and analysed by using Epi Info 3.5.1. RESULTS Response of students regarding transmission--Hepatitis B was transmitted by sex (84.4%), contaminated blood and body fluid (85.9%) and by unsterilised syringes, needles and surgical instruments (95.9%). Regarding diagnosis, treatment and PEP95.9% said hepatitis B was diagnosed by hepatitis markers test, 90% said that vaccination was the choice for treatment of hepatitis B, 97% said that vaccination was the main source of post exposure prophylaxis and 95.5% said that HBIg was used for post exposure prophylaxis. Good knowledge score was significantly higher among female students (p= 0.038), students aged more than 20 years (p= 0.046) and interns (p= 0.018). Fully vaccination status was significantly higher among interns (p= 0.028) and students who had good knowledge score (p= 0.025). CONCLUSION This study showed that overall awareness regarding hepatitis B was quite good among dental students, but there was a gap in practice as 47.6% students were not vaccinated or partially vaccinated against Hepatitis B. So we recommend that all students in the health profession should be vaccinated prior to their entry into professional practices. KEYWORDS Hepatitis B Awareness, Dental Students, Hepatitis B Vaccination and Practice.