##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.main##

Objective: To determine knowledge and attitude of dental and medical students about COVID – 19 disease and its precautionary measures

Methodology: The study was conducted after approval from the ethical review committee of the Foundation University College of Dentistry, Islamabad from June 2021 to September 2021. Inclusion criteria adhered to the recruitment of fourth and final-year students of dentistry. Informed written consent was taken after explaining the study protocol. The format of the questionnaire was based on previously published studies, literature, and guidelines provided by Centers for Disease Control. The questionnaire was validated by a Pilot Study and the opinion of dental health experts on the subject. Methodology constituted of a paper-based and web-based questionnaire with closed-ended questions and feedback were received from (60%) participants. Variables for analysis included demographic profile, next section comprised of questions regarding COVID – 19 disease knowledge, its precautionary measures, and attitude towards the disease. Moreover, participant's awareness in case of suspected infection was also analyzed to gauge the level of preparedness. There was a total of 256 participants enrolled in this study via consecutive non-probability sampling methodology.

Results: There was a total of 256 participants enrolled in this study. Out of 256, 154 (60.2%) were male and 102 (39.8%) were females. 110(42.8%) believed that COVID-19 symptoms resolve without treatment, 256(100%) believed that disease spread can be prevented with education. 222(86.6%) endorsed a preference to avoid or work with the COVID-19 Patient. As per opinion regarding social distancing, wearing masks and washing hands before initiation of treatment, 246(95.1%) believed it to be mandatory for disease transmission reduction whereas 38(14.9%) considered it unnecessary.

Conclusion: Dental students demonstrated ample awareness and knowledge regarding COVID-19 disease presentation, preventive measures, and strategy in case of suspected infection with a motivated attitude to spread awareness among the population.

References

  1. Gao Z, Ying S, Liu J, Zhang H, Li J, Ma C. A cross-sectional study: Comparing the attitude and knowledge of medical and non-medical students toward 2019 novel coronavirus. J Infect Public Health. 2020; 13(10): 1419–23.
     Google Scholar
  2. Yakar B, Öztürk Kaygusuz T, Pirinçci E, Önalan E, Ertekin YH. Knowledge, attitude, and anxiety of medical students about the current COVID-19 outbreak in Turkey. Fam Pract Palliat Care. 2020; 5(2): 36–44.
     Google Scholar
  3. Olayemi L, Alex- Abraham J, Yemoh V, Samuelu-Matthes M. Knowledge, Risk Perception, and Preventive Measures of COVID-19 among Medical and Nursing students in Samoa: A Cross-Sectional Analysis. Pac Health Dialog. 2021; 21(7): 421–32.
     Google Scholar
  4. Hamza MS, Badary OA, Elmazar MM. Cross-Sectional Study on Awareness and Knowledge of COVID-19 Among Senior pharmacy Students. J Community Health. 2021; 46(1): 139–46.
     Google Scholar
  5. Zhong B, Luo W, Li H, Zhang Q, Liu X, Li W, et al. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 among Chinese residents during the rapid rise period of the COVID-19 outbreak: a quick online cross-sectional survey. 2020; 16.
     Google Scholar
  6. Meganathan M, Madhana Gopal K, Kameswari P. D. Evaluation of COVID-19 Cognizance among Pharmacy Students of South India. Asian J Pharm Res Heal Care. 2020; 13(2): 157–62.
     Google Scholar
  7. Xu J, Zhao S, Teng T, Abdalla AE, Zhu W. Systematic Comparison of Two Animal-to-Human Transmitted Human Coronaviruses: SARS-CoV-2 and. 2020.
     Google Scholar
  8. Salman M, Mustafa ZU, Asif N, Zaidi HA, Hussain K, Shehzadi N, et al. Knowledge, attitude and preventive practices related to COVID-19: a cross-sectional study in two Pakistani university populations. Drugs Ther Perspect. 2020; 36(7): 319–25.
     Google Scholar
  9. Taghrir MH, Borazjani R, Shiraly R. COVID-19, and Iranian medical students; A survey on their related knowledge, preventive behaviors, and risk perception. Arch Iran Med. 2020; 23(4): 249–54.
     Google Scholar
  10. Olum R, Kajjimu J, Kanyike AM, Chekwech G, Wekha G, Nassozi DR, et al. Perspective of medical students on the COVID-19 pandemic: Survey of nine medical schools in Uganda. JMIR Public Heal Surveill. 2020; 6(2): 1–12.
     Google Scholar
  11. Alwazzan RA, Baseer MA, ALMugeiren OM, Ingle NA. Dental Professional's Knowledge, Preventive Awareness and Attitude Towards COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Survey. Risk Manag Healthc Policy. 2021; 14: 2277-2288.
     Google Scholar
  12. Shahin SY, Bugshan AS, Almulhim KS, AlSharief MS, Al-Dulaijan YA, Siddiqui I, Al-Qarni FD. Knowledge of dentists, dental auxiliaries, and students regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional survey. BMC Oral Health. 2020; 20(1): 363.
     Google Scholar
  13. Al-Khalifa KS, AlSheikh R, Al-Swuailem AS, Alkhalifa MS, Al-Johani MH, Al-Moumen SA, Almomen ZI. Pandemic preparedness of dentists against coronavirus disease: A Saudi Arabian experience. PLoS One. 2020; 15(8): e0237630.
     Google Scholar
  14. Sezgin GP, ŞirinoĞlu Çapan B. Assessment of dentists' awareness and knowledge levels on the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). Braz Oral Res. 2020; 34: e112.
     Google Scholar
  15. Khader Y, Al Nsour M, Al-Batayneh OB, Saadeh R, Bashier H, Alfaqih M, Al-Azzam S, AlShurman BA. Dentists' Awareness, Perception, and Attitude Regarding COVID-19 and Infection Control: Cross-Sectional Study Among Jordanian Dentists. JMIR Public Health Surveill. 2020; 6(2): e18798.
     Google Scholar
  16. Mustafa RM, Alshali RZ, Bukhary DM. Dentists' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Awareness of Infection Control Measures during COVID-19 Outbreak: A Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020; 17(23): 9016.
     Google Scholar
  17. Kamate SK, Sharma S, Thakar S, Srivastava D, Sengupta K, Hadi AJ, Chaudhary A, Joshi R, Dhanker K. Assessing Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of dental practitioners regarding the COVID-19 pandemic: A multinational study. Dent Med Probl. 2020; 57(1): 11-17.
     Google Scholar
  18. Duruk G, Gümüşboğa ZŞ, Çolak C. Investigation of Turkish dentists' clinical attitudes and behaviors towards the COVID-19 pandemic: a survey study. Braz Oral Res. 2020; 34: e054.
     Google Scholar


Most read articles by the same author(s)

Obs.: This plugin requires at least one statistics/report plugin to be enabled. If your statistics plugins provide more than one metric then please also select a main metric on the admin's site settings page and/or on the journal manager's settings pages.