ABSTRACT
Background: Swab collection is a challenging task, and the health-care workers (HCWs) have to face many difficulties while collecting swab samples of suspected patients. They often need to counsel the suspects as some think they do not have an infection but carry fear. Appropriate precautions should be taken in collecting specimens since this may expose HCWs to respiratory secretions from the suspects. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to assess awareness, anxiety, and stress among HCWs deployed in swab collection during the COVID-19 pandemic in Andhra Pradesh, India. Materials and Methods: A total of 102 HCWs filled out the questionnaire in this cross-sectional study. Google Forms were sent through WhatsApp and email. The participants were asked to forward the link to other known people who were also deployed in swab collection. The study took place in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, for 1 month. Results: About 73.5% of HCWs underwent training in swab collection. 90% of the undergraduates and 89% of the postgraduates were unhappy while staying away from family. Most of the study participants continued to wear personal protective equipment until completion of the working period. 39 of 44 undergraduates felt that swab collection was a high-risk job, and 42 of 55 postgraduates felt the same. Conclusion: Most of the HCWs are unhappy staying away from their family while deployed in swab collection. Majority of them reported swab collection as a high-risk job. As they are frontline workers, an enhanced variety of support should be offered. Psychosocial support and effective measures should be made readily available to them.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Social media platforms play an important role in the dissemination of information on the COVID-19 pandemic. Fake news had spread more rapidly on social media during the pandemic. Frequent exposure to fake news on coronavirus disease in social media creates panic and affects people's mental health. Aim: This study aims to assess the effect of social media on spreading panic over COVID-19 among dental students in Nellore city of Andhra Pradesh. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 1 month on 534 dental students of Nellore city of Andhra Pradesh. A specially designed and validated 20-item questionnaire was used to collect the data. SPSS version 21.0 was used for the statistical analysis. The Chi-square test used for categorical data. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Majority of the subjects used Instagram (50.3%) and Whatsapp (79.4%) to obtain and share information related to COVID-19 respectively. There was statistically significant association between the BDS and MDS dental students' responses on the questions relating to panic created over COVID-19 in social media. 54.2% of subjects felt that filters need to be set up for social media during a humanitarian crisis. Conclusion: The study concluded that the panic created in social media over COVID-19 had an impact on dental students.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Considering the gravity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its potential to unfold within the dental workplace or institutions, a shift from traditional dental practice to a newer method is needed. Teledentistry is widely being practiced in this pandemic era for the diagnosis and to give instructions to the patients. Hence, an attempt has been made to explore the knowledge, attitude, and awareness of practicing orthodontists regarding the usage of teledentistry during COVID lockdown, in Kerala. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, descriptive study was done on about 150 orthodontic professionals. A pretested, self-organized, close-ended survey was managed through online stages that comprised of 15 questions. The information gathered was assembled in a systematic way and investigated regarding recurrence and Chi-square test was utilized for the examination of frequencies. RESULTS: It was observed that 93.3% orthodontic practitioners had knowledge regarding teledentistry and a positive attitude toward teledentistry was shown by younger age group practitioners and those who were working in institutions (P < 0.05). 77.3% believed that teledentistry can save dentist's time and 71.3% responded that the new technology can be helpful in reducing the cost of treatment for patients. CONCLUSION: The knowledge, awareness, and attitudes were discovered to be acceptable among the orthodontic practitioners. Younger practitioners had more positive attitude toward teledentistry, and there was an overall positive attitude for using teledentistry as a temporary alternate for direct patient contact in COVID-19 pandemic time.