Indian Journal of Health and Wellbeing

Kruthiventi Hemalata ¹, Chirag Kalha ¹, Shakila Mahesh ², Anila Maria Varghese ¹, Khwahish ¹, Ameesha Khurana ¹

Affiliations
1 Bachelor of Dentistry, FDS, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and studies, Faridabad, Haryana, IN
2 Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Faridabad, Haryana, IN

Abstract

COVID-19 outbreak has classified dentistry as the very-high-risk category of occupation involved with infections due to aerosol production. It is imperative to improve strategies for the prevention of health care associated infections (HCAI). To evaluate the knowledge, practice and attitude (KAP) of using three basics of dentistryfacemasks, laboratory apron and gloves, among dental students during COVID-19 outbreak. A cross sectional survey among dental interns, postgraduate students and undergraduate students of all years from a private dental college in Faridabad (NCR), Haryana, India. A pre-tested questionnaire on knowledge, practice, attitude was distributed to the participants. Total number of participants were 351 students. The data was statistically analyzed using SPSS version 24.0. KAP score was calculated and presented as mean and standard deviation using student ttest and one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. The response of the study was 87.75% (351/400). The overall KAP mean score was 20.07 with knowledge score of 8.56, attitude 5.15 and practice 6.56. There was a statistically significant difference with respect to knowledge and overall KAP scores of different years of study. Knowledge, attitude and practice for infection control and prevention (IPC) among dental students was inadequate. Enforcing and educating students on HCAI and basic use of facemask, gloves and apron can reduce the risk of infection substantially in a developing county where there is a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Keywords

Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, HCAI, PPE.

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Shakila Mahesh ¹, Kruthiventi Hemalata ¹, Anila Maria Varghese ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Dental Sciences, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research & Studies, Faridabad, Haryana, IN

Abstract

Due to the pandemic of COVID-19, lockdown has been implemented in different countries. In the past many lockdowns took place for different reasons. Also, different pandemics took place across the globe resulting in the death of millions. To prevent the spread of the pandemic, lockdown has been implemented. Due to the pandemic and the lockdown the education sector, health sector, economy and the public have been affected both positively and negatively.Asearch strategy was executed in which literature from specific websites were only considered. Reports from different organizations like CDC and WHO tells us about the symptoms, incubation period and types of coronaviruses. In India there were in total 4 phases of lockdowns implemented with guidelines given by the government. The economy was gravely affected. The stock market fell to the lowest in history. The race for the formation of a vaccine for Coronavirus has started. With three vaccines that have been given emergency authorization, Pfizer, Moderna, and AstraZeneca, there are more vaccines, including Covaxin, produced by the Bharat Biotech and ICMR, which have reached the clinical stage. The Government of India has taken various steps to control the spread of the COVID-19. Although different steps were taken by the government to keep the transmission of the infection, the underprivileged are still gravely affected due to the lockdown. And lack of knowledge and sanitation among them has caused an increase in cases. In this review article we highlight the epidemiology, socio-economic impact and strategies to combat COVID-19 pandemic in India.

Keywords

Pandemic, Lockdown, COVID-19, Epidemiology, Socio-economic Impact, Dentistry, Vaccines, India.

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Shakila Mahesh ¹, Kadambari Harit ², Kaja Sai Ragesvari ², Manya Jain ³, Jigyasa Gupta ², Juhi Singhla ⁴

Affiliations
1 Department of Microbiology, Manav Rachna Dental College, FDS, MRIIRS, Faridabad, Haryana, IN
2 BDS, Manav Rachna Dental College, FDS MRIIRS, Faridabad, Haryana, IN
3 BDS, Manav Rachna Dental College, FDS, MRIIRS Faridabad, Haryana, IN
4 BDS, Manav Rachna Dental College, FDS, MRIIRS Faridabad, Haryana, IN

Abstract

The emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a pandemic in the modern world. SARS-CoV-2 is a highly mutating virus and thus numerous variants can be seen globally. A crosssectional survey was conducted to assess the knowledge of not only healthcare professionals and students but also of the general population about the different variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The total number of participants that took part in the study was 192. 192 participants took part in the study. Most of the participants were female (63%) between the age group of 19-22 years. The majority of the respondents were Undergraduate medical or dental students (64.06%) followed by the general population (17.7%). During this knowledge assessment, it was seen that the average marks scored were only 5.42 out of 14. Genetic lineage of SARS-CoV-2 have been arising and circulating all over the world since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of the study was to assess the knowledge and perception of healthcare workers and the general population. It was found that the healthcare workers were more knowledgeable and aware about the variant when compared with general population. This is due to the fact that they play a crucial role in diagnosis, containment, and treatment.

Keywords

variants, SARS-CoV-2, knowledge, perception

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