A CROSS-SECTIONAL ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICES TOWARD HEPATITIS B VIRUS INFECTION AMONG DENTISTS OF TERTIARY HOSPITALS IN ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN

  • Batool Zara BDS, MCPS (Periodontology), MPH, C-Ortho, Assistant Professor/HOD, Department of Periodontology, Foundation University and College of Dentistry, Islamabad.
  • Nasar Um Min Allah BDS, MSc. (Periodontics), Assistant Professor, Department of Periodontology, Foundation University College of Dentistry, Islamabad.
  • Wajeeha Javed BDS, MCPS (Periodontology), Assistant Professor/ HOD, Department of Periodontology, HITEC Dental College and Hospital, Taxila.
  • Sohaib Siddique BDS, MCPS (Periodontology), Senior Registrar, Department of Periodontology, HBS Medical and Dental College, Islamabad.
  • Hina Mahmood BDS, MDS (Periodontology), Assistant Professor/ HOD, Department of Periodontology, Islamabad Medical & Dental College, Bara Kahu, Islamabad.
  • Faiza Hassan BDS, M.Phil. Oral Pathology, Assistant Professor/ HOD, Department of Oral Pathology, Foundation University College of Dentistry, Islamabad.
Keywords: Hepatitis B, Knowledge, Attitude, Practices, Vaccination, Dental professionals

Abstract

This cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAPs) of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among dentists of five tertiary hospitals in Islamabad. A total of 192 participants were approached using a convenient sampling technique, over a period of three months from January 2018 to March 2018. Data were collected using self-administered structured questionnaire and analyzed by using SPSS version 22. The response rate was 100% (n=192). The results showed that the mean age of the participants were 28.5 ± 3 years with most of them were females (82%). More than 80% of the study participants had an adequate knowledge on risk factors for HBV, its mode of transmissions, and preventions. Majority (97.9%) of the participants had positive attitude towards following infection control guidelines. The mean score for HBV related practices was 4.76±1.15 revealing good practices among the study participants. In conclusion, this study reveals that majority of the dentists working in tertiary hospitals of Islamabad have good knowledge, attitude and practices towards HBV. However, it is recommended to improve this percentage through health education campaigns and settings so that a greater number of dentists could be benefited.

Published
2020-07-01
How to Cite
Batool Zara, Nasar Um Min Allah, Wajeeha Javed, Sohaib Siddique, Hina Mahmood, & Faiza Hassan. (2020). A CROSS-SECTIONAL ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICES TOWARD HEPATITIS B VIRUS INFECTION AMONG DENTISTS OF TERTIARY HOSPITALS IN ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN. Pakistan Oral & Dental Journal, 40(2), 66-71. Retrieved from http://podj.com.pk/index.php/podj/article/view/538
Issue
Vol. 40 No. 2 (2020): April-June 2020
Section
Periodontics