KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICE TOWARDS COVID-19 PANDEMIC AMONGST UNDERGRADUATE DENTAL STUDENT: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Received 2022-05-17; Accepted 2023-03-31; Published 2023-05-22

Abstract

Background: Most undergraduate dental students were concerned regarding the transmission of the COVID-19 virus through their profession. This dread and anxiety may be attributable to a lack of comprehension regarding the necessary precautions and protocols to implement to ensure safety and limit potential infection threat. This study aims to assess COVID-19-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among undergraduate dental students at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used, involving 166 respondents who were undergraduate dental students from years II to IV. Data collection was achieved using a pre-tested web-based questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential analyses, including independent t-tests and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests, evaluated the KAP differences related to demographic factors.

Results: There were no statistically significant differences in mean KAP associated with demographic factors such as gender, place of residence, and year of study (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: Dental students at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Malaya, Malaysia, had adequate knowledge of COVID-19 in light of the country’s quarantine status and pandemic context.