Hepatitis B: Knowledge, Preventive Attitude and Vaccine Status of Dental Students and Interns at Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Cross infection of blood-borne pathogens during dental practice is a major infection control problem among dental health care workers. Of these infections, Hepatitis B causes significant morbidity and mortality, and imposes a great burden on the Saudi Arabia healthcare system. Therefore, awareness of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, routes of transmission, preventive practices and vaccination are very important for the protection of dental students. Aim: Determination of the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of preventive measures regarding the HBV as well as vaccine status among Umm Al-Qura University (UQU) dental students and interns. Method: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted on 182 undergraduate students in fourth, fifth and sixth grades as well as on interns at Umm Al-Qura College of Dentistry. A self-structured questionnaire of 31 questions was distributed among participants to determine knowledge, attitude, preventive measures about hepatitis B during dental practice as well as the vaccine status. Data were collected, tabulated and statistically analyzed by SPSS v.20. Results: 182 questionnaires were answered, total males were 88 (48.4%) and females were 94 (51.6%). Among all students in 4th, 5th, 6th grades and interns, the overall knowledge was high (>70%). Also the scores for total attitude and knowledge about HBV infection were significantly higher in females than males (p<0.001). All participants were vaccinated against HBV and received 1-3 doses. However, 10.9% of them did not complete their doses (they received only 2 doses). Conclusions: UQU dental students and interns showed high knowledge and attitude about many aspects of HBV infection, but also there are some aspects in which they showed poor knowledge. So, sustained training and awareness about HBV infection and its preventive measures are recommended.