Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice Regarding Infection Control Measures Among Dental Students in Central India

Nilesh Agrawal; Dr. Pranay Gandhi; Sunita Sharma

Volume : III, Issue : X, October - 2014

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice Regarding Infection Control Measures Among Dental Students in Central India

Nilesh Agrawal, Dr. Pranay Gandhi, Sunita Sharma

Abstract :

A questionnaire study was conducted among 245 dental students from Nagpur city, Central India, to determine their level of knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding infection control measures and if any correlation exists among the knowledge, attitudes, and practice scores. We found that 61.2 percent of the dental students had not been vaccinated with hepatitis B. Use of face mask, gloves, eyewear, and protective clothing as standard infection control measures was practiced only by two students. Mean knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were 3.75 (1.01), 3.40 (0.75), and 3.35 (1.04), respectively. Significant linear correlation was seen between attitude and practice scores (r=0.20, p≤0.01). The level of knowledge and practice of infection control measures was poor among dental students. We recommend rigorous training on infection control measures prior to graduation and mandatory hepatitis B immunization of students before exposure to clinical practice.