Hepatitis B awareness and attitudes among dental professionals in Central India

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude, and awareness with regards to hepatitis B in dental health care professionals, and to estimate the efforts made by them to prevent the transmission of hepatitis among patients. This study also evaluated the immunization status of hepatitis B among dentists. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted among dental professionals in Central India. A Predesigned questionnaire was given to assess the general awareness, attitude, and behavior toward hepatitis B infection and vaccination along with questions to evaluate their own immunization status. Results: A total of 424 dentists responded to the questionnaire. Among them, 24.05% had not received even a single dose of Hepatitis B vaccine while 50.48% had not completed the required course of vaccination. Most common reason cited by dentists for non-immunization was that they had not thought about it (66.03%). Ninety-six percent of the participants were aware of the Hepatitis-B vaccination programme. Conclusion: Despite the availability of an effective vaccine in the market, dentists continue to remain non-vaccinated. It is the lack of awareness and carelessness on the part of dentists coupled with the negligence of the risk that has led them being incompletely vaccinated. There is a need to ensure that every doctor is vaccinated against Hepatitis B before he/she enters professional practice.

Keywords

• Hepatitis B
• immunization
• vaccination