Journal of Academy of Dental Education

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Hepatitis-B: an Alarming Infectious Condition- How Aware are We???


Affiliations
1 Seema Dental College & Hospital, Rishikesh, India
2 Professor & HOD, Department of Prosthodontics, Seema Dental College & Hospital, Rishikesh, India
3 Nirmal Ashram Eye Institute, Rishikesh, India
4 Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Seema Dental College & Hospital, Rishikesh, India
 

Background & Objectives:Infections caused by blood-borne pathogens like HCV, HBV or HCV have emerged as a hurricane for health-care workers. Among them, Hepatitis-B is a leading cause of morbidity & mortality all around the world especially placing health workers at higher occupational risks. Also percutaneous injuries in dental clinic are risk factors for transmission of HBV. Hence a bi-directional relationship exists between dentist & patient regarding transmission of HBV. The present study is designed to evaluate degree of awareness & knowledge about HBV & status of vaccination against it, among the dental students & clinicians.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 279 dental professionals including 41 clinicians, 45 post-graduate students, 80 interns and 113 B.D.S III & IV Yr students by means of a questionnaire. Data was collected & then analyzed in SPSS version-16.

Result: Our results were noteworthy that nearly 89.6% claimed that hepatitis-b is preventable. Positively, 90.71% subjects were vaccinated against HBV & 62.8% showed positive attitude towards HBV+ patients. However, some alarming findings are that 54.64% didn’t know about post-exposure prophylaxis and 79.84% didn’t have any idea about serum HBV DNA viral load considered safe according to CDC.

Conclusion: The present study consolidates the urgent need for further spread of knowledge & awareness about Hepatitis-B. We also highlight practice of “Standard Infection Control” measures and strict adherence to tenets of CDC guidelines. Hence the call of the hour is to spread awareness about Hepatitis-B which can turn to be a “mouse or an elephant in dental clinic.”


Keywords

Blood-Borne Pathogens, Anti-HBs Status, Serum HBV DNA Viral Load, Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, CDC Recommendations, Standard Infection Control, Protective Personnel Equipment, Engineering Controls.
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Notifications

  • Nihat, A., Bengi, O., Sebnem, K., & Gülümser, C. (2011). Knowledge, attitude and behaviour regarding Hepatitis B & infection control in dental clinical students, Clinical Dentistry and Research, 35(2), 21–27.

  • Beltrami, E. M., Williams, I. T., Shapiro, C. N., & Chamberland, M. E. (2000). risk and management of blood-borne infections in health care workers, Clinical Microbiology Review, 13(3), 385–407.

  • CDC Recommendations & Reports (2012). Updated CDC Recommendations for the Management of Hepatitis B Virus–Infected Health-Care Providers and Students, 61(3).

  • Hepatitis-B- General Information (2010). Publication No. 21-1073. Reteieved from http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hbv/pdfs/hepbgeneralfactsheet.pdf

  • Lin, K. W., & Kirchner, J. T. (2004). Lancaster General Hospital, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. American Family Physician, 69(1), 75–82.

  • OSHA Fact Sheet (2001). Enforcement procedures for the occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030.


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  • Hepatitis-B: an Alarming Infectious Condition- How Aware are We???

Abstract Views: 958  |  PDF Views: 152

Authors

Paridhi Rawat
Seema Dental College & Hospital, Rishikesh, India
Himanshu Aeran
Professor & HOD, Department of Prosthodontics, Seema Dental College & Hospital, Rishikesh, India
Anubha Agarwal
Nirmal Ashram Eye Institute, Rishikesh, India
Vijay Nautiyal
Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Seema Dental College & Hospital, Rishikesh, India

Abstract


Background & Objectives:Infections caused by blood-borne pathogens like HCV, HBV or HCV have emerged as a hurricane for health-care workers. Among them, Hepatitis-B is a leading cause of morbidity & mortality all around the world especially placing health workers at higher occupational risks. Also percutaneous injuries in dental clinic are risk factors for transmission of HBV. Hence a bi-directional relationship exists between dentist & patient regarding transmission of HBV. The present study is designed to evaluate degree of awareness & knowledge about HBV & status of vaccination against it, among the dental students & clinicians.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 279 dental professionals including 41 clinicians, 45 post-graduate students, 80 interns and 113 B.D.S III & IV Yr students by means of a questionnaire. Data was collected & then analyzed in SPSS version-16.

Result: Our results were noteworthy that nearly 89.6% claimed that hepatitis-b is preventable. Positively, 90.71% subjects were vaccinated against HBV & 62.8% showed positive attitude towards HBV+ patients. However, some alarming findings are that 54.64% didn’t know about post-exposure prophylaxis and 79.84% didn’t have any idea about serum HBV DNA viral load considered safe according to CDC.

Conclusion: The present study consolidates the urgent need for further spread of knowledge & awareness about Hepatitis-B. We also highlight practice of “Standard Infection Control” measures and strict adherence to tenets of CDC guidelines. Hence the call of the hour is to spread awareness about Hepatitis-B which can turn to be a “mouse or an elephant in dental clinic.”


Keywords


Blood-Borne Pathogens, Anti-HBs Status, Serum HBV DNA Viral Load, Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, CDC Recommendations, Standard Infection Control, Protective Personnel Equipment, Engineering Controls.

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.18311/jade%2F2014%2F44610