ABSTRACT
Aim: The study aims to assess the change in knowledge, awareness, and perception about COVID-19 among the dentists in Belagavi city, Karnataka. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 212 dentists in Belagavi city, Karnataka. A self-designed questionnaire consisting of eight close-ended and five open-ended questions was used for the data collection in two phases, once in June 2020 and once in December 2020. All the data relating to demographic details followed by knowledge, awareness, and perception of dentists regarding COVID-19 were recorded. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and McNemar test were used. Results: A total of 212 dentists participated in both phases of the study in June 2020 and December 2020. Most of them (39.6%) belonged to the age-group of 35–45 years, and 41.5% had more than 5 years of working experience in a private clinic. In phase 1 of the assessment of June 2020, almost 86.3% of the dentists agreed that dentists should use personal protective equipment kits for treatment, but only 35.8% knew what was included. There was a change in the knowledge, awareness, and perception in the second phase in December 2020 which was statistically significant. Conclusion: The knowledge, awareness, and perception of the dentists regarding COVID-19 in Belagavi city in December 2020 have increased when compared to June 2020. The ready availability of information and easy acquirement of knowledge, leading to better adaptability were the major reasons behind it. Clinical significance: The knowledge, awareness, and perception type of assessment regarding COVID-19 among the dentists in Belagavi city is important to analyze and evaluate their readiness to restart dental practices and how prepared they are in doing so. © The Author(s). 2022.
ABSTRACT
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a significant loss of human life over the world and poses an unparalleled public health threat. As a result, it is critical to comprehend the patients' perspectives and knowledge on the subject. Aim: The aim of the study is to assess the knowledge, fear, and perception regarding COVID-19 among patients attending a dental hospital in Belagavi, India, and to compare it with their socioeconomic status using Kuppuswamy scale 2019. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted among patients attending the dental hospital during the complete lockdown. A total of 170 respondents were included in the study. A self-designed, validated questionnaire with 14 closed-ended questions was prepared, among which 11 questions were knowledge based, two were on perception, and one on fear. Data were entered into Microsoft Excel and analyzed using the SPSS version 25. P & LE;0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 170 participants were included in the study. The age ranged between 26 and 80 years. Majority of the population (95%) knew the symptoms of COVID-19 and the measures to be taken to prevent it. An association was found between participants' educational status and their knowledge regarding signs and symptoms of novel coronavirus (P = 0.005). Most of the study participants were not aware of the distance to be kept during social distancing (45.8%). Lockdown caused financial burden to more than 70% of the study participants. Conclusion: Nonliterate youth and adults were most likely to be the hardest hit by educational, social, and economic impacts of COVID-19.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: It is necessary to prioritize occupational welfare, safety of dental students and health professionals to reduce coronavirus transmission, to offer the best benefit for patients. Aim: To assess knowledge regarding standard operating procedures to be adhered in clinical setting during pandemic amongst undergraduate, postgraduate dental students and dental interns of dental colleges in northwest region, Karnataka. Materials and Methods: This observational cross-sectional study was undertaken in dental colleges in northwest region, Karnataka from January 2021 to February 2021. Sample size was estimated to be 360 based on a pilot study. Participants were selected by the simple random sampling technique and were interviewed using a questionnaire comprising of 20 close-ended questions. The questionnaire was evaluated for reliability with Cronbach's α value of 0.82, face validity 0.85%, and content validity ratio 0.76. The collected data was entered in MS Excel and analysed using Statistical Package of the Social Science (IBM-SPSS) statistics-version 21 using descriptive analysis, Chi-square analysis, spearman's correlation coefficient test, and regression. Results: The mean age of the participants was 24.6±1.35 years with marked gender distribution of 261 (72.5%) females and 99 (27.5%) males. Overall knowledge score for the standard operating procedure to be adhered during the pandemic was found to be 10.92±1.96 (undergraduates), 12.68±1.80 (postgraduates) and 11.55±1.82 (interns). More than half of the respondents 57.78% displayed a moderate level of knowledge. Spearman's correlation coefficient test revealed a high statistically significant difference between awareness about Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among participants and recommended masks during the procedure. Conclusion: Postgraduate students had higher knowledge regarding standard operating procedures to be adhered in dental clinics compared to undergraduate students and interns. It's necessary that dental students are aware of latest infection control guidelines and implement them into their practices right from beginning.
ABSTRACT
Background: Psychological health is a neglected health issue globally. Bereavement, isolation, loss of income and fear are triggering factors for disrupting mental well-being during COVID 19 pandemic. Aim: To assess impact of COVID 19 pandemic on psychological health status of general population in India. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted using questionnaire prepared through Google forms. A non-probability snowball sampling was used. Results: We received 2131 responses of which,42.3% of the population were frustrated due to the pandemic. 27.8% of the participants had negative and suicidal thoughts. 64.1% of the participants were frustrated due to social isolation from colleagues and peers. 44.4% of the participants feared job insecurity. Majority of the males and females (58.8% and 53.3%) were going to work against their will. 43.5% in the age group of 18-30 years were more frustrated. 58.6% of healthcare workers were separated from their loved ones and 60.1% suffered from anorexia nervosa. 56.2% of the total participants did nothing specific to combat frustration.78% of the stressed respondents opined that stress-relief programs, online psychological health counseling is need of the hour in the pandemic period. Conclusion: COVID 19 pandemic has led to panic and anxiety amongst the public globally and affected them psychologically. Government aided online psychological health counseling programs, motivational and awareness programs would prove to be reliable tools to combat psychological health problems in general public.