INTRODUCTION:

Many diseases are encountered during routine medical and dental practice some of them are due to accidental exposure to blood and body fluids (BBF). Transmission of blood-borne pathogens like Hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be a threat to life. Hepatitis is a serious viral infection that affects the liver. [21] Viral infection accounts for more than half the cases of acute hepatitis. Hepatitis means “inflammation of the liver”. The types of Hepatitis include Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. Patients who have HBV infection can be chronic carriers of the virus and these people are under the liability of the infection to dental personnel and cross infection to other patients if appropriate infection control measures are not taken such as barrier methods. [1]

It is the most well-known reason for chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepato-cell carcinoma. [5,14,15] Hepatitis B is a vital general medical issue influencing very nearly 10% of the total populace. [6] As per 2009 WHO report, around 2 billon individuals are influenced with HB around the world, more than 350 million experienced ceaseless deep rooted disease and, more than one million of people die due to cirrhosis and liver tumor every year. [7] HBV is infectious and simple to be transmitted starting with one contaminated individual then onto the next by blood to blood contact, mother to child, unprotected sex, sharing of eating utensils etc. [8] Predominance of contamination, methods of transmission and human conduct contrive to topographically extraordinary epidemiologic examples of HB disease. [9]

The incidence of HB infection is on continuous rise in Pakistan also. The severity of HB ranges between 7 to 20% in Pakistani population and varies from region to region [16-20]

The practice of modern medicine have contributed a lot in the increase of the case and spreading of blood born diseases like HIV and HBV due to decrease in the sterilization technique of instruments and improper disposal of hospital waste as 10 to 20% health care waste is regarded harmful. [12] Under all inclusive safety measures, blood and certain body liquids of all patients are considered possibly infectious for HIV, HBV and other blood borne pathogens. [13]

The need for an effective infection control program is a necessity in the dental practice. Post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is an essential element to prevent infection and is important for health care workers (HCW) safety.

Knowledge is generally surveyed to perceive how far group information relates to biomedical ideas. [10] PEP includes measures that should be done after exposure patient’s blood and body fluids to prevent probable transmission. These procedures include immediate washing of exposed area, determination of risk associated with exposure, evaluation of patient for all blood borne diseases, injection of hepatitis B vaccine and immunoglobulin, consumption of antiretroviral drugs and evaluation and follow up of the exposed worker.[22,23]

The situations in which PEP may be indicated include needle stick injury, visibly bloody needle/device, injury involving device used in a vein or artery, high serum viral load in source patient and health care workers not wearing gloves. [2]

Aim:

Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice on post exposure prophylaxis of Hepatitis among dental undergraduates and post - graduates students at Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Chennai.

Objectives:

1. To gather the knowledge and attitude of post exposure prophylaxis of Hepatitis among students.

2. To assess the practice of post exposure prophylaxis of Hepatitis among students.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

A. Study design:

i. Place of study- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Chennai.

ii. Source of Data- Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Chennai.

iii. Sample Description- Four groups including post graduates and interns, final year and third year undergraduates of Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Chennai.

iv. Selection Criteria-

1. Inclusion Criteria:

· Dental students of Saveetha Dental College and Hospital.

· Four groups including post graduates and interns, final year and third year undergraduates of Saveetha Dental College and Hospital.

2. Exclusion Criteria:

· Students who are unwilling to participate in the study.

· Those students who remain absent for three consecutive days.

B. Material/Equipment for the study:

· A self-made questionnaire

C. Methodology:

This will be a cross-sectional questionnaire study. A set of 15 questions was given to each of the four groups which include post graduates and interns, final year and third year undergraduates of Saveetha Dental College and Hospital. The students were assessed on the basis of their knowledge (9 questions) about vaccines (2 questions) available for Hepatitis the precautionary measures they will take after accidental exposure (4 questions) to body and body fluids.

RESULT:

Knowledge about post exposure prophylaxis of Hepatitis was more among the post – graduate students than the undergraduate students.

DISCUSSION:

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of post graduates is more, followed by interns, final years and third years. Logical learning about HBV transmission is basic for medical students. They can take proper protection amid their clinical posting as HBV is 50 times less easier to transmit than HIV. [11]

CONCLUSION:

The current study will help us in understanding the knowledge, attitude and practice on post exposure prophylaxis of Hepatitis among the budding doctors. As dental science students are an integral part of the health care system, they are the most vulnerable and exposed to the same risk as other health care workers when they come in contact sharp injuries, muco-cutaneous contamination, and bites. [3] In order to reduce the hazards, protocols and guidelines have been established by Medical Council of India to enhance student’s safety in dental field and it should be followed by every student irrespective of their year of study.

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Received on 08.01.2018 Modified on 10.02.2018

Research J. Pharm. and Tech 2018; 11(8):3320-3322.

DOI: 10.5958/0974-360X.2018.00610.8