Knowledge and attitude regarding swine flu among dental house surgeons in Belagavi city: A cross-sectional study

• Main Authors: Shreya Nerli, Shivayogi M Hugar, Niraj S Gokhale, Divyata Kohli, Chaitanya Uppin, Chandrashekhar M Badkar
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2017-01-01
• Series: BLDE University Journal of Health Sciences
• Subjects: Attitude; dentists; knowledge; swine flu
• Online Access: http://www.bldeujournalhs.in/article.asp?issn=2468-838X;year=2017;volume=2;issue=1;spage=50;epage=54;aulast=Nerli
• ISSN: 2468-838X; 2456-1975

Background: Influenza disease is one of the oldest medical problems, which is known to cause severe illness and high mortality rates, worldwide. In flu pandemics, medical and dental students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices are critical to save patients' life. Aims: To assess knowledge and attitude regarding swine flu among dental house surgeons in Belagavi city. Settings and Design: This was a cross-sectional questionnaire study conducted among dental surgeons of Belagavi city. Subjects and Methods: One hundred thirty-three participants were recruited in a convenient sampling cross-sectional survey. Pretested, self-reported questionnaire was used and results were analyzed applying fitting statistical tests. Statistical Analysis Used: Reliability of the questionnaire was checked using Cronbach's alpha which was found to be 78.4. Data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0 software. Results: From the present study, it was seen that the participants do not have adequate knowledge regarding swine flu influenza. Conclusions: We concluded that dental house surgeons do not have sufficient knowledge about swine flu. It seems that traditional educational models are not efficient and government with other nongovernmental organizations should emphasize to advocate motivational education methods including health belief model and motivational interview at undergraduate levels. Younger students and dentists may have less motivation to change their attitude and behavior so that we can focus our interventions on these groups.