Batra Kavita, Urankar Yashashri, Batra Ravi, Gomes Aaron F, S Meru, Kaurani Pragati
Office of Research, School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89102, USA.
Community Health Centers of South-Central Texas, Gonzales, TX 78629, USA.
Healthcare (Basel). 2021 May 13;9(5):574. doi: 10.3390/healthcare9050574.
This study's objective was to examine the knowledge, performance in practicing protective behaviors, and risk perception of Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) among dental students of India.
A web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from 10-30 August 2020, involving 381 dental students that were enrolled at the Uttaranchal Dental and Medical Research Institute in India. A web-based structured questionnaire assessed the COVID-19 related knowledge, protective behaviors, and risk perception performance. The independent-samples-t and analysis of variance tests were used to analyze the differences in knowledge, protective behaviors, and perception across the groups.
Of the dental students surveyed, 83% had adequate knowledge of COVID-19, and nearly 80% followed appropriate practices regarding COVID-19. The COVID-19 related risk perception was higher among females as compared to males. COVID-19 related knowledge was significantly correlated with preventive behaviors ( = 0.18; < 0·01) and risk perception ( = 0.10; < 0.05). We found a high score of COVID-19 related knowledge and precautionary behaviors and moderate risk perception among students.
Knowledge and protective behaviors towards infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, have clinical applications in developing educational and formal training programs to promote adherence to the infection control practices among dental students.
The findings of this study will inform policymakers to emphasize on effective risk communication. Dental institutions can incorporate infection control modules in the current curriculum, thereby making future dental professionals capable of performing effective infection control management in the clinical settings. This is critical in improving their knowledge of infection control practices to minimize the risk of nosocomial infections.
本研究旨在调查印度牙科专业学生对新型冠状病毒肺炎（COVID-19）的认知、防护行为表现及风险感知情况。
于2020年8月10日至30日开展了一项基于网络的横断面调查，纳入了印度北阿坎德邦牙科与医学研究所的381名牙科专业学生。通过基于网络的结构化问卷评估与COVID-19相关的知识、防护行为及风险感知表现。采用独立样本t检验和方差分析来分析各组在知识、防护行为及认知方面的差异。
在接受调查的牙科专业学生中，83%对COVID-19有足够的了解，近80%采取了有关COVID-19的适当防护措施。女性对COVID-19的相关风险感知高于男性。与COVID-19相关的知识与预防行为（r = 0.18；P < 0.01）及风险感知（r = 0.10；P < 0.05）显著相关。我们发现学生对COVID-19相关知识和预防行为的得分较高，风险感知中等。
对COVID-19等传染病的认知和防护行为在制定教育及正规培训项目以促进牙科专业学生遵守感染控制措施方面具有临床应用价值。
本研究结果将为政策制定者强调有效的风险沟通提供依据。牙科机构可在当前课程中纳入感染控制模块，从而使未来的牙科专业人员能够在临床环境中进行有效的感染控制管理。这对于提高他们对感染控制措施的认知以将医院感染风险降至最低至关重要。
