Cross-Sectional Analytical Study to Determine Knowledge and Attitude of Dental Students about COVID-19 Disease and Its Precautionary Measures

Abstract

Objective: To determine knowledge and attitude of dental and medical students about COVID – 19 disease and its precautionary measures
 Methodology: The study was conducted after approval from the ethical review committee of the Foundation University College of Dentistry, Islamabad from June 2021 to September 2021. Inclusion criteria adhered to the recruitment of fourth and final-year students of dentistry. Informed written consent was taken after explaining the study protocol. The format of the questionnaire was based on previously published studies, literature, and guidelines provided by Centers for Disease Control. The questionnaire was validated by a Pilot Study and the opinion of dental health experts on the subject. Methodology constituted of a paper-based and web-based questionnaire with closed-ended questions and feedback were received from (60%) participants. Variables for analysis included demographic profile, next section comprised of questions regarding COVID – 19 disease knowledge, its precautionary measures, and attitude towards the disease. Moreover, participant's awareness in case of suspected infection was also analyzed to gauge the level of preparedness. There was a total of 256 participants enrolled in this study via consecutive non-probability sampling methodology.
 Results: There was a total of 256 participants enrolled in this study. Out of 256, 154 (60.2%) were male and 102 (39.8%) were females. 110(42.8%) believed that COVID-19 symptoms resolve without treatment, 256(100%) believed that disease spread can be prevented with education. 222(86.6%) endorsed a preference to avoid or work with the COVID-19 Patient. As per opinion regarding social distancing, wearing masks and washing hands before initiation of treatment, 246(95.1%) believed it to be mandatory for disease transmission reduction whereas 38(14.9%) considered it unnecessary.
 Conclusion: Dental students demonstrated ample awareness and knowledge regarding COVID-19 disease presentation, preventive measures, and strategy in case of suspected infection with a motivated attitude to spread awareness among the population.

Malocclusion: Prevalence and Determinants among Adolescents of Karachi, Pakistan

“…61 62 A similar association had stated in another study by Abbas et al from Pakistan. 11 In addition to dental caries, periodontal health is also interconnected with other oral health problems including malocclusion reported in other studies. 63 64 This dependency on periodontal health would be grounded on the foundation of the type and severity of the malocclusion.…”

“…Nevertheless, few schools-based studies have reported a prevalence of malocclusion ranging from 73.2 to 75.6%. 11 42 The probable high prevalence of malocclusion might be due to different study parameters and targeting specific population groups, rather than targeting the general population by Abbas et al 11 Similarly, the study conducted by Nazir et al 43 targeted the vulnerable population. The possibility of limited resources and lack of good oral hygiene maintenance for a longer duration at an early age could inflate the prevalence of malocclusion.…”

“…A sum of 284 sample population sizes was calculated with the help of “open-epi.com” by using absolute precision 5, the design effect 1.0, population size 100,0000, and anticipated frequency 75.6% as reported by the reference article. 11 This study enrolled 500 young adolescents through a fixed allocation; 350 (70%) school students in which 175 were males and 175 were females; 100 (20%) madrasa students in which 50 were males and 50 were females, and 50 (10%) working young adolescents. We inflated the sample size to 500 to accommodate for any potential selection bias.…”

“…9 10 The prevalence of malocclusion in Pakistan is 75.6%, which denotes a common burden on the general population. 11…”