학술논문

Knowledge of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) among dental surgeons of Nepal: a nationwide study
Document Type
Report
Source
BMC Infectious Diseases. November 23, 2020, Vol. 20 Issue 1
Subject
Nepal
Language
English
ISSN
1471-2334
Abstract
Author(s): Mukesh Kumar Sah[sup.1] , Abanish Singh[sup.2] and Raj Kumar Sangroula[sup.3] Background Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an emerging respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus [1]. It was first reported [...]
Background COVID-19 is an emerging respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus. There is not much evidence assessing the knowledge of dental surgeons regarding COVID-19. This study was conducted to assess the knowledge of COVID-19 among dental surgeons of Nepal. Methods A web-based cross-sectional study was conducted among registered dental surgeons of Nepal. Ethical approval was obtained. Consent was taken, and knowledge on COVID-19 was assessed via a pre-tested structured questionnaire using Google form. The form was emailed to the participants. Descriptive analysis was performed using frequency, percentage, median and inter-quartile range. Man-Whitney test and Kruskal-Wallis tests were carried out to see the difference in knowledge score. P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Total 227 dental surgeons responded to the questionnaire (male: 46.4%; female: 53.7%). Almost two-third (65.2%) of the respondents were B.D.S. (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) graduates. Only 29.1% worked in the government hospitals. 17.6% were currently involved in COVID-19 management. Of the participants, 87.7% knew about the condition of the requirement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) but only 29.1% could correctly answer the framed question for PPE. The median knowledge score calculated was 14.0 (8.0-18.0). The bivariate analysis showed a statistically significant difference in knowledge score among the age group [greater than or equai to]30 years and < 30 years (p = 0.013); M.D.S. (Master of Dental Surgery) graduate and B.D.S. graduate (0.041); dental surgeons of government healthcare facilities and other healthcare facilities (p < 0.001); dental surgeons of COVID-19 centers and non-COVID-19 centers (0.002). Conclusion The dental surgeons of Nepal have a good knowledge of COVID-19, and they can be utilized for assisting in the management of COVID-19 cases in Nepal. Keywords: Case management, COVID-19, Dental surgeons, Knowledge