Assesment of relationship between perceived stress and knowledge among oral health care workers during COVID-19 pandemic: A cross- sectional study

Abstract

The lack of knowledge and stress towards COVID-19 can lead to unfavorable dentist’s attitude towards the practice making them reluctant and fearful in dental operatory. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and perceived stress among dental practitioners during current COVID-19 outbreak. : In this study, a total of 459 dental practitioners involving both general practitioners and specialists from different types of practice completed a questionnaire for assessment of knowledge and attitude towards COVID-19 and stress perceived by them. The association of perceived stress for gender, age, designation and type of practice was analyzed using Chi-square tests with Statistical significance set at 5% level. total of 459 individuals participated in study with 51.0% males and 49.0% females, of them 54.7% were specialists and 45.31% general dental practitioners, working at different types of practices. More than 90% were aware of mode of transmission and were following current guidelines. Similar results were observed for attitude towards COVID-19. Majority of participants had total PSS scores in the study sample ranged from 0-38, with total mean scores of 17.08 (±7.8), Men demonstrated significantly lower values PSS scores when compared to females (p<0.05), similar results were observed for age. Covid-19 pandemic has led to increased level of stress among dental practitioner’s despite of possessing high level of knowledge and positive attitude.