Role of Education in Developing Awareness Among Dental Health Care Workers pertaining Cross Infection Control in Clinical Settings

Abstract

Background: There are certain methods used to prevent the cross infection in the health care delivery systems and their personnel including immunization, routine precaution, and personal protective equipment (PPE). This study aimed to evaluate the role of education in developing awareness among Dental health care workers pertaining cross infection control in clinical settings.

Methods: A total of ninety-eight (98) dental surgery assistants working in Dental hospitals of Multan were recruited from 1^st April 2022 to 31^st July 2022. The procedure of Data collection was done by using structured, self-administered four sectioned questionnaire via simple random sampling. The Dental assistants working for over 01 year were included in the study. The statistical analysis of the collected data was then conducted with SPSS. The Results were displayed in graphs and tables by keeping the significance level at P<0.05.

Results: Out of 98 participants, females were 21.4% (21) whereas males were 78.6% (77). Majority 75 (76.53%) participants received higher secondary education from school. Chi square test depicted a significant association between knowledge and educational level of the participants (p-value = 0.016). There was an insignificant association of attitude with educational level (p-value = 0.292) and gender (p-value= 0.285). There was also an insignificant association of practice revealed with educational level (p-value = 0.073) and gender (p-value = 0.103).

Conclusion: The current study concluded significant association between knowledge and educational level of dental assistants. There exists a strong association between knowledge, practice and usage of PPE for controlling the cross infection among dental assistants.