Benarji KA, Anitha A, Suresh B, Aparna V, Praveena A, Penumatsa LA. Knowledge and attitude of dental students toward hepatitis B virus and its vaccination - A cross-sectional study.
J Oral Maxillofac Pathol 2021;
25:553. [PMID:
35281163 PMCID:
PMC8859610 DOI:
10.4103/jomfp.jomfp_387_21]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives:
To estimate the awareness of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and coverage of hepatitis B vaccination among dental students enrolled in dental colleges located in Andhra Pradesh.
Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted using a prestructured questionnaire to find out the awareness of HBV and coverage of hepatitis B vaccine among dental students.
Results:
A total of 2780 dental students were approached to participate in the study but only 2701 (97.1%) students (M = 900, F = 1801) gave response. Out of the total 2701 students, 79.45% were aware of HBV infection and only 51.50% of the participants received hepatitis B vaccine. 20.5% have come across HBV infected patients and 59.5% are unaware of postexposure protocol. Of all, 63.9%, 21.5% and 42% felt the mode of transmission is blood, sexual contact and oral fluids, respectively. 49.12% recommended for awareness programs on risks in HBV; 56.46% suggested mandatory Hepatitis B vaccination programs in dental colleges.
Conclusions:
Despite the availability and accessibility of a cost-effective hepatitis B vaccine, the vaccination coverage among dental students was low. Health education needs to be improved for all health care students especially for dental students.
Collapse