Hepatitis B- A Killer Study of Awareness and Practice Among Dental Students Regarding Hepatitis B Infection and Prevention

Abstract

BACKGROUNDHepatitis 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 METHODSA 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. RESULTSResponse 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 PEP-95.9% 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). CONCLUSIONThis 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.