scholarly journals EVALUATION OF AWARENESS, KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND SCREENING OF ORAL CANCER AMONG DENTAL PRACTITIONERS AND DENTAL STUDENTS- AN ONLINE QUESTIONAIRE BASED CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Author(s):  
Gurpreet Kaur ◽  
Navneet Kaur ◽  
Aaina Angral ◽  
Deeksha Ahuja Jhatta

Background: Oral cancer is a silent invasive disease with poor prognosis and more than 60 % of these cases were diagnosed in later stages. Early diagnosis of the malignancy greatly increased survival rates as the mouth is easily accessible for self or clinical examination. Lack of awareness among dental practitioners and health care providers is the most significant factor in delaying diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer. Aim & Objective: 1) To assess the level of knowledge and awareness regarding oral cancer, its clinical presentation and associated risk factors among dental practitioners and dental students.2) To explore dentists’ attitude regarding their role in screening, detection and prevention of oral cancer. Material & Methods:   A cross sectional online survey was conducted on 300 dental practitioners and dental students, who are working and studying in recognized dental institutes and dental clinics receptively in the area around tri-city. A validated questionnaire   survey comprised of 29 questions regarding a basic knowledge and awareness, and attitude and screening of oral cancer was distributed randomly among the participants. The Performa was distributed through electronic media and all the participants filled the questionnaire Performa. Performa was based on the demographic data and to raise the awareness, knowledge, attitude and screening of oral cancer among dental practitioners and dental students. All the data were collected, tabulated and analysed using SPSS software 20. Results:  A total of 300 dental practitioners and dental students were approached, of which 273 participated in the study. The response rate of the study was 91%.  Among the various risk factors for causing oral cancer, the use of alcohol was identified as a major risk factor by 267 (97.8%) dentists. The high-risk age group for oral cancer was identified in between 40-60 years by 246 (90.1%) dentists. Two hundred and forty-four (89.4%) dentists strongly agreed that patients should be referred to specialists if they suspected oral cancer in any lesion. Majority 97.8% of the dentists routinely practiced complete oral cavity examination on all patients who attended their practice. Conclusion:  It can be concluded that though the mean knowledge and awareness, attitude, practice and screening about oral cancer among specialized dentists was good but there is a need to improve the knowledge and practices of risk factors for oral cancer among general dental practitioners by either collaborative approach by various specialties or by arranging continuous educational programs for them. Keywords: Oral cancer, oral cancer awareness, Poor oral hygiene, screening, Risk factors, Dental professionals

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Haroon ◽  
S. S. Owais ◽  
A. S. Khan ◽  
J. Amin

Summary COVID-19 has challenged the mental health of healthcare workers confronting it world-wide. Our study identifies the prevalence and risk of anxiety among emergency healthcare workers confronting COVID-19 in Pakistan. We conducted a cross-sectional survey in an Emergency Department using the Generalized Anxiety Scale (GAD-7), and questions about sources of anxiety. Of 107 participants, 61.7% were frontline workers. The prevalence of anxiety was 50.5%. Nonparametric tests determined that nurses, younger and inexperienced staff, developed significant anxiety. Multivariate ordinal regression determined independent risk factors for developing anxiety were younger age (OR 2.11, 95% CI 0.89–4.99) and frontline placement (OR 1.34, 95% CI 0.33–1.66). Significant sources of stress were fear of infecting family (P = 0.003), lack of social support when the health care providers were themselves unwell (P = 0.02) and feelings of inadequate work performance (P = 0.05). Our study finds that HCWs’ anxiety is considerable. Appropriate measures for its alleviation and prevention are required.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (7) ◽  
pp. 1617-1619
Author(s):  
S. Akbar Abbas Zaidi ◽  
P. Rani Harjani ◽  
M. Mubeen Arshad ◽  
S. Z. Abbas Zaidi ◽  
Rajesh Kumar ◽  
...  

Background: The rise in prevalence and complications associated with dental traumatic injuries among Pakistani population is considered a topic of discussion at International Association of Dental Traumatology nowadays. Understanding the multifactorial etiology, therapeutic techniques and choosing management approaches are vital to dental traumatic injuries. Aim: To assess the knowledge, qualification and practices followed by dental professionals from a tertiary healthcare centers based in Sindh Pakistan. Methodology: The study population of this cross-sectional descriptive study comprised of dental care providers attending the seminar on World Oral Health Day at Bibi Aseefa Dental College, Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan. A self-administered questionnaire consisting of two parts; demographic and knowledge about management of trauma was administered to participants on 20 March 2021. The detailed demographic details of research participants were collected and further analyzed by using SPSS 20 and MS Office 2010 tools. Results: Out of total 134 participants, 40(29.9%) were males while, 94(70.1%) were females with mean age of 24.314.088. Among them 45(33.6%) were undergraduate dental students; in them 4(8.9%) were in 1st year dental students, 17(37.8%) in 2nd year, 10(22.2%) in 3rd year and 14(31.1%) were in final year of their undergraduate studies. 31(23.1%) were house officers, 19(14.2%) were post graduate residents and 39(29.1%) were general dental practitioners (GDP). Conclusion: Lack of qualified dental experts with post-residency trainings dealing dental traumatic complexity in Sindh Pakistan is considered a major underlying associated with heightened case rates of pediatric dental injuries. Keywords: tooth injuries, Dentists, Restorative, Pediatric


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL3) ◽  
pp. 892-895
Author(s):  
Nishanthi R ◽  
Ashok Velayudhan ◽  
Dhanraj Ganapathy

Oral cancer affects people in the 6th and seventh many years of existence with a background marked by smoking tobacco and, or liquor utilization. Early acknowledgement and referral are basic as less treatment is required to decrease mortality and morbidity. Past examinations have demonstrated that oral cancer can be quiet in symptoms with attention to primal signs being increasingly advantageous in diagnosis. To assessing oral cancer knowledge and awareness among undergraduate dental studentsA cross-sectional survey was done with a self-administered questionnaire with 10 questions circulated among 100 dental students. The questionnaire assessed the awareness about oral cancer, their risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and management strategies. The responses were recorded and analysed. 96 % of dental students were aware of oral cancer.95% said smoking and tobacco-related products are the major risk factors of oral cancer.85% were aware of clinical manifestation of oral cancer.71% were aware of the diagnosis of oral cancer and 65% were aware of management strategies for oral cancer.Greater part of the responders in this investigation had satisfactory information about clinical indications of oral cancer. Efforts ought to be made to develop inspirational disposition towards avoidance of oral cancer. There is a necessity to present instructions on counteraction, early referral and demonstrative techniques for oral cancer.


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 369-374
Author(s):  
Mashael Alqahtani ◽  
Alla Nahhas ◽  
Lujain Malibari ◽  
Maryam Alghamdi ◽  
Sara Bazuhier ◽  
...  

Background: Oral Cancer (OC) is a serious health problem affecting the oral cavity, which may lead to death. Alcohol, tobacco, and chewing betel are the main risk factors. Early diagnosis and adequate knowledge of OC may improve the survival rate. Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge about oral cancer among dental patients in Mecca. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the dental clinics of Mecca. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were distributed to 416 respondents aged 18 or older, who spoke Arabic or English, had no history of OC, and participated voluntarily. The questionnaire consisted of three sections. The first regarded demographical data, the second measured knowledge about OC, and the third was concerned with education regarding OC provided by health-care providers. The interviewers also educated the participants by handing brochures with information about OC. Results: Knowledge about OC among dental patients in Mecca was found to be significantly low. Only 102 of the 416 participants (24.5%) had any knowledge. Only 3.4% of all participants had been educated about OC by their health-care providers. Conclusion: The results of this study show a considerable lack of general knowledge about OC among dental patients in Mecca. Health programs should be developed to raise the community’s awareness.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 582
Author(s):  
EmmanuelObiora Izuka ◽  
ObinnaChinedu Nwafor ◽  
JosephTochukwu Enebe ◽  
IfeanyichukwuJude Ofor ◽  
ChineloElizabeth Obiora-Izuka ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akshaya Srikanth Bhagavathula ◽  
Nazrin Bin Zakaria ◽  
Shazia Qasim Jamshed

Objective. To assess knowledge and awareness of oral cancer in the early identification of risk factors among undergraduate dental students.Methods. A total of 162 undergraduate (third, fourth, and fifth year) dental students at International Islamic University, Malaysia, were approached to participate in the study, and those who agreed were administered. A 9-item pretested questionnaire contains questions on oral examination, oral cancer risk factors, and requests for further information. Descriptive statistics were conducted using chi-square testing.Results.The response rate of the study was 70.3% (114/162), with 26 (22.8%) males and 88 (77.2%) females. All undergraduate dental students were familiar with examining the oral mucosa of their patients and most were likely to advise patients about the risk factors for developing oral cancer (98.2%). Nearly one-third (32.4%) of students reported examining patients with oral lesions as early signs for oral cancer (P<0.001) and nearly 70% agreed that they did not have sufficient knowledge regarding the prevention and detection of oral cancer (P<0.001). In addition, more than 95.6% agreed that there is a need for additional information/teaching regarding oral cancer. Further, 61.3% and 14.1% identified tobacco smoking and drinking alcohol as major risk factors for developing oral cancer.Conclusion.This study demonstrated lack of awareness about risk factors among undergraduate dental students regarding oral cancer. Reinforcing awareness and enhancing the benefits of early detection on prevention of oral cancer should be done through training and/or educational intervention.


2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-28
Author(s):  
A Suma Bindu ◽  
V Hirekalmath Sushanth ◽  
Mohamed Imranulla

ABSTRACT Introduction According to the World Health Organization, heart disease is the world's largest killer claiming 17.5 million lives every year. Every 29 seconds, an Indian dies of heart problem. It is important that every member of our community including dental practitioners be trained in high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as it is a basic medical skill, which can save many lives if implemented timely. Aim The aim of the study was to determine basic life support (BLS) knowledge, awareness, and attitude among clinical dental students (III and IV year students), interns, and postgraduate students in the dental colleges of Davangere city, Karnataka, India. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was conducted by using a close-ended, validated questionnaire comprising 17 questions pertaining to demographic details, knowledge, awareness, and attitude toward BLS among clinical dental students in Davangere city. Descriptive, chi-squared test and Logistic regression were used to analyze the data using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20. Results After excluding the incomplete response forms, the data were analyzed for 495 responders with a response rate of 96.6%. In the present study, only 23.2% of the responders answered that the rate of chest compression is 100/minute in adults and children and 62.2% of the students were not aware of Heimlich maneuver. About 68.5% students had not attended previous BLS workshops. Conclusion The present study highlights that the overall knowledge, awareness, and attitude among dental students regarding BLS is not satisfactory in Davangere. This study emphasizes the fact that undergraduate course in dentistry must be regularly updated on the knowledge and skills regarding BLS along with practical courses. How to cite this article Bindu AS, Sushanth VH, Kumar PGN, Prashant GM, Imranulla M. Basic Life Support Knowledge, Awareness, and Attitude among Dental Students in Davangere City, Karnataka, India: A Cross-sectional Study. J Oral Health Comm Dent 2017;11(2):23-28.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
SAMUEL OKORI ◽  
INNOCENT BESIGYE ◽  
JANE FRANCIS NAMATOVU

Abstract Background The quality of services in Uganda at higher level health facilities are usually affected negatively by congestion when patients bypass care from their primary care health facilities (PCHF). The reason behind this bypass phenomenon in Uganda is limited. This study was conducted among patients receiving care at Lira Regional Referral Hospital in northern Uganda to identify reasons why patients bypass their PCHF. Methods We performed a descriptive cross-sectional study between 29/12/2014 & 30/1/2015, 484 respondents attending the outpatient department were recruited by systematic random sampling. Four focus group discussions (FGDs) each involving 10 participants were conducted. Quantitative data was collected using a validated questionnaire, entered, analysed by Epidata Entry 3.1 and SPSS 18 versions respectively. Descriptive statistics and chi square test for differences in the study population were used. For qualitative data, thematic analysis of transcripts was done. Codes and categories were developed and interrogated following an iterative process based on grounded theory. Results The majority (80.4%) of respondents (71.7% females, mean age 18-35 years, SD 0.85) bypassed their PCHF. Factors associated with bypass were: marital status, distance travelled of >10 km and tertiary education. FGDs reported lack of trust in the health care providers, lack of medicines and diagnostic equipment. Conclusions Poor quality of health services at PCHF encourages seeking care from higher-level facilities. Utilization of PCHF is limited due to poor infrastructure, shortage of medicines and human resource. Improvement of these issues will support PCHF which in turn can help reverse bypass phenomenon.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina L. Alfieri ◽  
Jennifer D. Kusma ◽  
Nia Heard-Garris ◽  
Matthew M. Davis ◽  
Emily Golbeck ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective To compare hesitancy toward a future COVID-19 vaccine for children of various sociodemographic groups in a major metropolitan area, and to understand how parents obtain information about COVID-19. Methods Cross-sectional online survey of parents with children < 18 years old in Chicago and Cook County, Illinois, in June 2020. We used logistic regression to determine the odds of parental COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (VH) for racial/ethnic and socioeconomic groups, controlling for sociodemographic factors and the sources where parents obtain information regarding COVID-19. Results Surveys were received from 1702 parents and 1425 were included in analyses. Overall, 33% of parents reported VH for their child. COVID-19 VH was higher among non-Hispanic Black parents compared with non-Hispanic White parents (Odds Ratio (OR) 2.65, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): (1.99–3.53), parents of publicly insured children compared with privately insured (OR 1.93, (1.53–2.42)) and among lower income groups. Parents receive information about COVID-19 from a variety of sources, and those who report using family, internet and health care providers as information sources (compared to those who don’t use each respective source) had lower odds of COVID-19 VH for their children. Conclusions The highest rates of hesitancy toward a future COVID-19 vaccine were found in demographic groups that have been the most severely affected by the pandemic. These groups may require targeted outreach efforts from trusted sources of information in order to promote equitable uptake of a future COVID-19 vaccine.


Author(s):  
K. P. Joshi ◽  
Leena Madhura ◽  
Deepak Jamadar

Background: The health care providers are at the front line of the outbreak response of current pandemic of COVID-19 and exposed to hazards that put them at risk of infection. Rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has become a major cause of concern for the healthcare profession in all over the world. All health care professional must stay aware of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak. This research paper deals with the knowledge and awareness about COVID-19 among nursing students.Methods: By non-probability snowball sampling method the sample size was 407. Predesigned and pretested questionnaire was used in this study. Questions were related to knowledge and awareness about current COVID-19. The participant was directed to complete the self-report survey by online. The data was tabulated and analysed statistically. MS-Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22.0 used for all statistical analysis.Results: A total of 407 nursing students participated in this study. Over all 75.58±3.21 participants showed good knowledge and awareness about COVID-19. Around 87.47% respondents were aware about high risk age group for COVID-19. 83.54% participants were aware about concept of hand hygiene and 83.37% were well aware of PPE for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases.Conclusions: The study participants showed adequate basic knowledge and awareness of COVID-19. There is a strong need to implement periodic educational interventions and training programs on infection control practices and other updates of COVID-19 across all healthcare professions including nursing students.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document