Evaluation of Knowledge Levels of Ordu University Faculty of Dentistry Students about Hepatitis B: Cross-Sectional Survey Study

Year 2021, Volume: 7 Issue: 3, 320 - 327, 31.12.2021

Çiğdem Güler , İhya Çakmakçı

https://doi.org/10.19127/mbsjohs.955623

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the knowledge levels of Ordu University Faculty of Dentistry students about Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), preventive measures, and compare differences between academic classes.
Methods: Students from Ordu University Faculty of Dentistry (1th to 5th year from 2019-2020 academic year) were asked to respond a one-page questionnaire form measuring their knowledge about HBV. The questionnaire was created online and a total of 417 students were asked to respond. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test and Fischer’s exact test. Significance level was set at a P<0.05.
Results: In this study, 318 of 417 students participated. In total, 97.8% of 318 students knew that HBV can be transmitted through dental treatments. In addition, 85.2% of students stated that HBV can be transmitted through saliva. 94.7% of students who answered the questionnaire knew that HBV vaccination program consisted of 3 doses. In the question of standard universal precautions for HBV contagiousness, 28% of students selected the option ‘I do not know’, and there was a statistically significant difference between academic classes in this question (P<0.05).
Conclusion: According to the results of this study, although students had better knowledge about HBV when compared to similar studies, it is recommended that knowledge of students, especially on standard universal measures, should be reviewed. In addition, the vaccination and immune status of the students should be followed regularly.

Keywords

Hepatitis B Virus, Dental Students, Questionnaire

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