Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Dental and Medical Students about Hepatitis B

Autores/as

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/d3000.2025.952

Palabras clave:

Dental Students, Hepatitis B, Medical Students, Dental Education, Medical Education

Resumen

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate and compare hepatitis B's knowledge, attitudes, and practices among dental and medical students in Iraqi universities. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted from 1 July to 1 September 2024 among second, third, fourth, and fifth-stage medical and dental students. For survey distribution, the questionnaire consisting of four domains submitted to an internet platform (Google Forms). Undergraduate students were invited to participate in the research via a survey link published on specific groups of students in the social networking platforms Viber and WhatsApp. Results: 426 students responded to the questionnaire. There were statistically significant differences in frequency were seen (p < 0.001) regarding source of your knowledge about HBV, route of infection transition, receiving vaccination, doses of vaccine, and periodic checking of titer values of the vaccine. Frequency of answers for questions regarding immunization programs and strategies against HB infection were not statistically different. Additionally, dental students had more frequent positive responses for use of gloves, changing gloves, use of face mask, changing face masks, use of disposable gown, and use of disposable instruments for the patients positive or suspected HB virus (95.4%, 94.6%, 93.8%, 73.0%, 74.3%, and 96.3%, respectively) whereas medical students less frequently used those (67.6%, 62.7%, 59.5%, 24.9%, 47.6%, and 85.9%, respectively). Conclusion: The study revealed that although both medical and dental students were knowledgeable about HBV transmission, vaccination uptake, particularly among medical students, was inadequate.

Citas

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Publicado

2025-08-13

Número

Vol. 13 Núm. 1 (2025)

Sección

Adults & the Elderly

Licencia

Derechos de autor 2025 Noor Natik, Abeer Salah Salman, Athraa Ali Mahmood, Wassan Nori, Hashim Mueen Hussein

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