Abstract:
Background: Hepatitis B poses a major health concern and is the
world’s most common blood borne viral infection placing dental
professionals at higher occupational risk. Aims and objectives: To
investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding
the prevention of hepatitis B virus infection among dental students at
university of Benghazi. Material and Method: This was a
descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among dental students
of university of Benghazi registered in academic year of 2018/2019.
Data analysis was in the form of frequency and percentage and chisquare
test were done. Results: The study included 500 dental
Students. The response rate was 73.5%, 79% were females. Overall,
the participants showed good level of knowledge about HBV-related
issues. level of knowledge regarding mode of HBV transmission
was found to be fairly acceptable percentage , the subjects showed
positive attitude. Also the response of dental students to the use of
personal protective equipment was adequate and 93% of the students
were vaccinated. Conclusions: The students had reasonable
knowledge, positive attitude and good practices towards HBV.
Areas of insufficient knowledge needed to be reinforced included
some modes of transmission of HBV, and last comprehensive
extended sampling of dental students from all the dental collages as
well as medical, nursing schools should be recommended in the
future not only for HBV but all the infectious diseases especially
on the COVID 19.
