Knowledge, attitude and practice on hepatitis B prevention among dental professionals in India

ABSTRACT

Aim: To obtain comprehensive information about the knowledge, attitude and practices towardshepatitis B infection by dental health care professionals, and their effort to prevent the transmissionamong the patients. Methods: A cross sectional survey conducted among 540 dental health careworkers in a dental college and private practitioners in and around Bhimavarm, India. A selfassessmentquestionnaire with queries on levels, namely knowledge and practices, and protectivemeasures to prevent transmission of hepatitis B was recorded and statistically analyzed. Results:Frequency distribution scores of knowledge, attitude and practice in relation to hepatitis B infectionrevealed that the faculty members, the students under training along with, nurses, hygienists andlab technicians were relatively aware of hepatitis B vaccination, precautions and principles dropletisolation procedures to prevent transmission of hepatitis B infection. Conclusions: The resultsshowed that the dental professionals had good knowledge and attitude regarding hepatitis B andits transmission, but that the infection control measures among the health care professionals aremoderately poor and an educational program on isolation precautions can further enhance theselevels and thereby, reducing the risk of infection transmission.