Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dentistry (Feb 2024)
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Toothbrush Contamination and Disinfection Among Undergraduate Students in Selected Universities in Somalia
Abstract
Saadaq Adan Hussein,1 Abdirahman Aden Hussein,2 Ahmed Mohamed Nur,3 Ayan Nor Ali,4 Yahye Garad Mohamed,4 Abdul Jalil Abdullahi Ali3 1Department of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Benadir University, Mogadishu, Somalia; 2Department Public Health, Ministry of Livestock, Forestry & Range, Mogadishu, Somalia; 3Department of M&E Statistic, Benadir University, Mogadishu, Somalia; 4Department Radiology, Mogadishu Somali Türkiye Training and Research Hospital, Mogadishu, SomaliaCorrespondence: Saadaq Adan Hussein, Department of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Benadir University, Bundada Street, Wabari District, Mogadishu, Somalia, Tel +252612223224, Email [email protected]: Oral health is crucial for overall well-being and systemic health and Humans are exposed to several bacteria after birth and will causes systemic illnesses like septicemia, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and renal issues. This study aimed to evaluate undergraduate students’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding toothbrush contamination and disinfection.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out with undergraduates from seven selected universities, including public and private universities. A closed-ended questionnaire containing 24 items was distributed to A total of 490 undergraduate students.Results: The study showed that (28.6%, n=140) had knowledge about toothbrush cleaning and disinfection. A total of (350, n=71.4%) needed to gain knowledge about toothbrush cleaning and disinfection. Fifty-two percent of the students feel that bacteria are the primary mode of toothbrush contamination. Many of the students had different ways of disinfecting toothbrushes, including, boiling a small pot of normal water (51.4%, n=252), chemical agent (31.8%, n=156), ultraviolet sanitizer (0.2%, n=4), and microwave radiation (0.2%, n=1) does not know (16.1%, n=79). Most students (76.9%, n=377) felt that toothbrush disinfection was necessary.Conclusion: Fewer students have sufficient knowledge about toothbrush contamination and practice disinfection methods, whereas most students need to be made aware of the contamination of toothbrushes and the use of disinfectant methods.Keywords: knowledge, practice, toothbrush, infection, contamination
