Hepatitis C: Knowledge and attitude of graduating dentist from Faculty of Dentistry, Sebha, Libya

Abstract

Objectives: The present study was undertaken to assess the knowledge and attitude of the graduating dentist with respect to various aspect of hepatitis C. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey using a self-administered, structured, and pilot tested closed-ended 26-item questionnaire was completed by 99 dental students from Faculty of Dentistry, Sebha (Libya). Descriptive analysis was carried out, and Chi-square test was used for intergroup comparison. Results: Overall 54.5% students reported that their knowledge with respect to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was inadequate. 45.5% participants felt that books were the most common source for acquiring HCV information. Only, 44.4% participants were willing to treat high-risk HCV, patients. 70.7% interns feel that the dentists should not have the right to reject treating an HCV patient. 83% of the participants said that a dentist can contract hepatitis C from their patients if they do not use proper barrier techniques intergroup comparison showed statistically significant difference with issues related to contracting HCV from patient, HCV vaccine, treating patient in normal setting, perceptions toward HCV patients, and attitudes toward providing treatment. Conclusion: The study revealed that the knowledge of HCV among the dental students was not satisfactory, and their attitude toward HCV patients was discriminatory.

Keywords

• Attitude
• graduating dentist
• hepatitis C
• knowledge
• Sebha