Knowledge, attitude and practice survey of hepatitis b and c infections among dental students of mansoura university, egypt

Background: Dental health professionals are posed to the risk of hepatitis B and C infections secondary to accidental exposure to blood.

Purpose: This study was undertaken to determine the level of knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of the final year dental students selected from Faculty of Dentistry, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt as regard to hepatitis B and C infections.

Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted over a period of two months involving 300 dental students. A 20-item questionnaire was distributed among the participants.

Results: A response rate of 100% was obtained. Only 37.3% of the students were fully vaccinated against hepatitis B. A total of 61% knew that presently there is a treatment available for hepatitis B and C. Almost half of the students had a positive attitude towards hepatitis B or C- infected patients. An overall good practice was perceived in respect to hepatitis B and C infections.

Conclusion: This study realized lapses in knowledge among the dental students in relation to viral hepatitis B and C infections. Upgraded education in this respect is critical for dental students to minimize the likelihoods of being infected as well as discrimination against hepatitis B or C-infected patients.