KNOWLEDGE, CONCEPTION AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS HBV AND HCV AMONG DENTISTS IN DUHOK PROVINCE; KURDISTAN REGION OF IRAQ

susan mohammed salih; HIND B. ALMUFTY; BAHAR J. SELIVANY; MUAYAD A. MERZA

susan mohammed salih, periodotist college of dentistry
HIND B. ALMUFTY ** Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.:
BAHAR J. SELIVANY Department of Conservative, College of Dentistry, University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.
MUAYAD A. MERZA Department of Internal Medicine, Azadi Teaching Hospital, College of Pharmacy, University of Duhok, Duhok, Iraqi Kurdistan, Iraq. Email: [email protected]

Keywords: bloodborne viruses, HBV, HCV, dentists, Duhok province, Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Abstract

https://doi.org/10.31386/dmj.2024.18.2.2

Background: Healthcare workers including physicians, dentists, nurses and laboratory workers are considered to be among the groups at the risk of blood-borne pathogen transmission. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and conception of Duhok province dentists toward bloodborne viruses HBV and HCV regarding transmission, treatment, and prevention; furthermore, to know their attitude in dealing with HCV or HBV positive patients

Method: It’s a cross sectional that had performed by asking dentists from Duhok province to fulfill a standardized online based questionnaire. There were four main parts in the questionnaire; demographic data collection, general HBV and HCV information, attitude questions and prevention questions.

Result: One hundred eighty-seven dentists had participated in the study, 54% were males. The mean age of the participants was 28.48 ± SD 7.53. The mean experience years of study population was 5.87 ± SD 6.39. Eighty-one (43.3%), 122 (65.2%), and 101 (54%) dentists out of 187 had good knowledge, favorable attitude, and good preventive practices toward HBV & HCV, respectively. Good knowledge frequency was more common among dentists whose ages were above 40 years, and among those with MSc or PhD degree, p=0.016 and 0.03, respectively. Whilst good preventive practices against HBV & HCV was more common among more experience dentists p= 0.001, 0.008 respectively. HBV vaccine coverage is 98.8%

Conclusion: Duhok dentists at under and post- graduate levels necessitates improving educational programs and regular dental auditing. The HBV vaccine coverage is highly satisfactory.

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