Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major worldwide public health problem. Nearly 45% of the worlds population lives in areas of high endemicity, with India being a country of intermediate endemicity.
Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of dental students about HBV infection at a private dental institution in Mysore, Karnataka, India.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a pretested, structured, and validated questionnaire containing 16 questions on awareness, transmission, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, vaccination status, and postexposure prophylaxis of HBV infection. Descriptive statistics were carried out along with chi-square test and contingency coefficient.
Result: The response rate was 100% (n = 486). A total of 88.7% of the students knew about the transmission of HBV infection. Only 64% students were immunized against HBV. Majority of the students (91.1%) agreed for vaccination against HBV infection. Only 28.4% students knew about the postexposure treatment against HBV infection. About 58.8% students knew about the preventive measures against HBV infection.
Conclusion: The overall awareness regarding HBV disease was found to be lacking among the dental students.
Key words: Awareness, knowledge, practices, hepatitis B virus, vaccination, dental professionals
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