Abstract
BackgroundHepatitis B virus (HBV) is a worldwide healthcare problem. Dental health care professionals are at a high risk of infection by HBV. The present study investigated the knowledge, attitude and practice of HBV infection among Saudi dental students and Interns in Saudi Arabia.Material and MethodsThis was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study. A self-administered questionnaire consisting of questions on students’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding HBV was used. Data of 420 participants were analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Studies) version 22.0.ResultsThe response rate was 84%. Overall, the participants showed fair level of knowledge about HBV, with significant differences between final year students and the interns. Also, the subjects showed negative attitude toward HBV patients. The vast majority reported always wearing gloves (97.9%), gowns (92.1%), face masks (89.2%), disposable caps (87.1%) and protective eye wear (80.9%). The majority of participants (91.4%) had been vaccinated against HBV. However, only 41% completed the recommended 3 doses of the vaccine.ConclusionsThese unsatisfactory findings emphasize the necessity of continued education about HBV in order to improve knowledge, attitudes, and practices of dental students and Interns regarding HBV. Key words:HBV, Knowledge, Practice, Dental students, Interns.
Highlights
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a worldwide health care problem, especially in developing countries
The vast majority knew that HBV can be transmitted from patient to patient (89.5%), that HBV can be transmitted through dental treatment (90.7%) and that the HBV vaccine is safe (92.1%)
Only less than quarter of the subjects knew about HBV sensitivity to low temperature, dryness and ultraviolet rays (21%), and that HBV is not less transmissible than Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (26%)
Summary
HBV infection is a worldwide health care problem, especially in developing countries. It is one of the most common chronic viral infections that may infect the population. Dental health care professionals are at a high risk of infection by HBV. The present study investigated the knowledge, attitude and practice of HBV infection among Saudi dental students and Interns in Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire consisting of questions on students’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding HBV was used. The participants showed fair level of knowledge about HBV, with significant differences between final year students and the interns. The majority of participants (91.4%) had been vaccinated against HBV. Conclusions: These unsatisfactory findings emphasize the necessity of continued education about HBV in order to improve knowledge, attitudes, and practices of dental students and Interns regarding HBV
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