Personality Traits Influence on Perception and Hesitancy Towards COVID-19 Vaccination Among Tertiary Care Dental Hospital in Delhi: A Cross-Section Study.

Background  In the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination is recognized as a global public-health goal for preventing, containing, and stopping transmission. But the reluctance of people to receive safe and recommended available vaccines (i.e., vaccine hesitancy) was a growing concern. One of the key elements that influence how people are perceived and their reluctance to get the COVID-19 vaccine was found to be personality traits. Hence, the aim of the study was to assess the influence of personality traits on perception and hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccination among patients attending tertiary dental care hospitals in Delhi. Methodology A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among a sample of 322 participants aged 15-70 years attending the outpatient department of a public sector tertiary care dental hospital in New Delhi. Data was collected over a two-month period using a validated self-administered questionnaire which recorded demographic variables, individual perceptions, hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccination, and personality traits [using 20-item mini international personality item pool (IPIP)]. Descriptive analysis followed by a Chi-square test and correlation test was applied. Results A total of 322 participants were contacted among which 300 participants (93%) responded which comprised 157 males (52.3%) and 143 females (47.7%). Dominant agreeableness personality shows a statistically significant positive correlation with individual perception (r=0.124, p=0.032) while a negative correlation with vaccine hesitancy (r= -0.146, p= 0.011). Among reasons for vaccine hesitancy, fear of side effects showed a significant association with personality traits (p= 0.018). Conclusion This study concluded that personality trait (dominant agreeableness) was an important factor in shaping individual perception and hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccination.

Assessing Social Distancing Strategies in Government Schools of Delhi, India: A Formative Research Study.

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected all spheres of life and work. Children have been deeply affected, with >3.34 billion affected learners in India. The present study aimed to assess the awareness regarding social distancing strategies in schools among teachers of Delhi. Further, it explores the attitudes and perceived challenges toward various practical strategies in schools. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study (formative research design) was conducted through an online survey. Teachers during the first nationwide lockdown period were contacted through the snowball method. Quantitative analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. For the qualitative responses, summative content analysis was conducted by a data coder who was blinded to the identity of the respondent. Results: A total of 199 school teachers from various government schools of Delhi participated in the study. Around 49.7% of teachers suggested that online classes would be the best way for appraising children and parents about social distancing, while 24.1% (n = 48) of them insisted on the use of social media. A total of 11.05% of the respondents were of the view that preventive strategies are incredibly difficult to implement and execute. Conclusion: Teacher training and sensitization of parents and children can help overcome the perceived challenges. Clinical and public health significance: Appropriate COVID-19 preventive strategies implementation remains the mainstay for preventing the transmission of the pandemic among the most vulnerable group-school children. Attempts should be made to tailor-made changes required at the policy as well as school level, understanding the probable school environment and psychological impact, keeping abreast with the local challenges. How to cite this article: Jain S, Bajaj A, Mohanty V, et al. Assessing Social Distancing Strategies in Government Schools of Delhi, India: A Formative Research Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(1):101-106.

Self-Perceived Halitosis and Related Factors Among the Mask-Wearing Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Delhi, India: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction Halitosis (oral malodor) is a common health condition throughout the world. In India, data on self-reported halitosis and related factors is limited. Mouth mask usage has been made compulsory after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This could possibly alter oral microflora and environment and contribute to halitosis. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of self-perceived halitosis (SPH) among mask-wearing patients visiting a tertiary care dental hospital in Delhi, India. Methods A cross­sectional study was conducted among a convenience sample of 300 patients visiting a tertiary care dental hospital in the capital of India. SPH status was measured using a self-designed and structured questionnaire containing socio-demographic factors, mask-related habits, and self-perceived oral health status. Statistical analysis was done using Jamovi software (The jamovi project, Sydney, Australia) version 1.8. Descriptive analysis followed by a chi-square test and a multivariate logistic regression test was applied. Results Bad breath was perceived by 86 study subjects. Of the participants, 16.7% felt that they had bad breath before the pandemic, and 38% of the participants had an increased perception or feeling of bad breath since regular mask usage. Of the participants, 42.7% felt that they had an increased feeling of dryness in the mouth post-pandemic. SPH status was associated with mask usage frequency (p<0.001), change (p<0.001) and type of mask (p=0.004), increased feeling of dryness (p<0.001), frequency of toothbrushing (p<0.001), self-reported oral disease (p=0.007), and dental treatment in the past 12 months (p=0.005). Conclusion The SPH status of the study population was associated with mask-related habits and self-reported oral health status. The findings highlight the importance of possible amendments in preventive and curative care for patients with halitosis post-COVID-19 pandemic.

Infodemiology for oral health and disease: A scoping review.

INTRODUCTION: Increasing affordability, accessibility and penetration of internet services worldwide, have substantially changed the ways of gathering health-related information. This has led to the origin of concept infodemiology that allows the information to be collected and analysed in near real time. Globally, oral diseases affect nearly 3.5 billion people; thus, volume and profile of oral health searches would help in understanding specific community dental needs and formulation of pertinent oral health strategies. AIM: To review the published literature on infodemiological aspects of oral health and disease. METHODOLOGY: This scoping review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Electronic search engines (Google Scholar) and databases (PubMed, Web of science, Scopus) were searched from 2002 onwards. RESULTS: Thirty-eight articles were included in this review. The infodemiological studies for oral health and disease were mainly used in two domains. Out of 38 articles, 24 accessed the quality of available online information and 15 studied online oral health-related information seeking behaviour. CONCLUSION: The most commonly searched oral diseases were toothache, oral cancer, dental caries, periodontal disease, oral maxillofacial surgical procedures and paediatric oral diseases. Most of the studies belonged to developed countries and Google was the most researched search engine.

"YES it's the Perfect Time to Quit": Fueling Tobacco Cessation in India during COVID-19 Pandemic.

Entire world is battling the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic. India too, has undertaken stringent containment measures to combat this disease. The country is in a state of national lockdown, which has inadvertently led more than a quarter of the Indian population to not use tobacco. This paper discusses the opportunity that surfaces with unavailability of tobacco products, and advocates the need for escalation of tobacco cessation services as well as strategic management of stress to stay tobacco-free.