Factors affecting the infection control behaviours of Korean dental hygienists in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the factors affecting the prevention of cross-infection with coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) among Korean dental hygienists. METHODS: The level of knowledge about COVID-19 (KNWCO ), level of awareness of infection control (AWRIC ), degree of performance for infection control (PRFIC ), and organizational factors for infection control (OFWIC ) of clinical dental hygienists in Korea to prevent COVID-19 transmission were investigated. A self-written online questionnaire was administered to dental hygienists currently working in dental clinics or hospitals, and the survey results of 263 participants were analysed. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated for relationships between the KNWCO , AWRIC , PRFIC , and OFWIC . Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify the factors affecting the PRFIC . Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Knowledge about COVID-19, AWRIC , PRFIC , and OFWIC were significantly correlated with each other. OFWIC (ß = 0.491, p < 0.001), followed by AWRIC (ß = 0.428, p < 0.001) and KNWCO (ß = 0.095, p = 0.013), had the greatest impact on PRFIC with regard to the prevention of COVID-19 transmission. CONCLUSIONS: Organizational factors for infection control and AWRIC should be strengthened to improve PRFIC and prevent COVID-19 transmission during dental care.