Expectations, Views, And Awareness Of Covid-19 Vaccination Among Indian Dental Clinics: A Survey Study

ABSTRACT

Background: Various vaccines have been developed, licensed, and administered against COVID-19 infection to combat the disease globally including in India. The behavior, expectations, views, and awareness of dental clinics in India for COVID-19 vaccination are not well understood. Aim(s) The present survey study aimed to assess the expectations, views, and awareness in Indian dental clinics concerning the COVID-19 vaccination. Method(s) The present survey study included 900 subjects seeking dental care treatment in Indian dental clinics. The questionnaire used in the present survey study comprising of four parts. The participants filled out the survey after giving informed consent. The 4 parts of the survey were demographics, knowledge, attitude, and perception. The data gathered was assessed statistically. Result(s) Mean awareness and attitude scores were significantly more in subjects with higher education, socioeconomic status, subjects residing in the urban areas, and who received all the vaccines previously. The attitude scores were also higher in subjects female subjects compared to male subjects. It was reported by 21.44% (n=83), 18.60% (n=72), 1.55% (n=6), and 58.39% (n=226) females reported that uninfected, infected, recovered, and everyone should be vaccinated. In males, these responses were reported by 26.70% (n=137), 24.17% (n=124), 1.55%(n=8), and 47.56% (n=244) males respectively. Conclusion(s) It can be concluded from the results of the present study that subjects visiting Indian dental clinics lack awareness concerning the COVID-19 vaccine. However, these subjects have more optimism in their attitude toward the vaccine. Before vaccination, immediate promotion programs must be implemented to raise awareness. Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.