Asia Batool, Misbah-ul Islam Khan Sherwani, Khatoon Akhtar Bano, Muhammad Aasim.
Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Dentists about Hepatitis B and C Infection in Lahore.
Pak J Med Res Jan ;51(3):93-6.

Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of dentists of public and private sector in Lahore about Hepatitis B and C infection. Study type and settings: This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on private dental practitioners and public sector dental surgeons working in hospitals of Lahore. Subjects and Methods: Private sector dentists of Lahore working in Shahdara, Badami Bagh, Mughalpura, Baghbanpura, Gulberg, Shadman, Mozang, Feroz pur Road, Model Town, Multan Road, Johar Town and Tohkher Niaz Baig were selected for the study. In the public sector hospitals, dental surgeons were selected from Demont Morency Dental College and Hospital, Mayo Hospital, Services Hospital, Govt. Mozang Hospital, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore General Hospital, Mian Munshi Hospital, Sheikh Zaid Hospital, Railway Hospital, Wapda Hospital and Combined Military Hospital by using convenient sampling technique. A self-administered, close-ended questionnaire was used and information was gathered about their knowledge, attitude and practices for HBV/HCV infection and its prevention. Data was entered in the SPSS-13 computer program. Frequency and percentages were calculated for different segments and comparison between the two groups was performed by using z-test for proportion. p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: A total of 209 dentisits agreed to participate in the study (105 in private and 104 in public sector). The mean age of the respondents was 33+9.8. Although majority had good knowledge about these viruses, their spread and prevention but information was either lacking or was wrong in many dentists. Disease spread through close contact was thought by 35%, through mosquitoes by 15%, in closed environments by 8%. Sexual and perinatal transmission of these viruses was not known by 30% and 8% did not know that these can be transmitted by blood or unsterilized instruments. About 50% stated that B and C cases should be restricted from working in food industry. Vaccine for hepatitis B was not known in 7%, while 25% said that a vaccine is available for hepatitis C. Attitude evaluation highlighted that 98% dentitsts screened their patients for hepatitis-B and C prior to dental treatment and 80% gave virus positive patients the last appointment to prevent disease transmission. Alomost 52% agreed that virus infected health professionals should not be discouraged from treating patients. Deficiencies were observed in the dental practices, which were more common in public sector like not being vaccinated for hepatitis B, infrequent use of special containers to dispose sharps. Deficiencies more marked in private sector included infrequent hand washing, not using autoclave for sterilization, not using new forceps/handpiece or personel protective equipments (mask/eye face shield). Conclusions: There were deficiencies in the knowledge, attitude and practices about hepatitis B&C virus in dentists of both public and private sector which need to be addressed on priority basis to stop disease transmission from this very frequented site. Policy message: Provision of a continuous formal and obligatory education on hepatitis B and C regarding its nature, causative organisims, risk factors, diagnosis management and prevention to update in infection control practices. The Dental Association should be made partner in the infection control campaign.

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