Factors Associated with Epidemiological, Preventive and Health Care Knowledge of Dentists from North of the Peruvian Capital about COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study under a Predictive Model

Flor Aquiles-Barzola, Arturo Verástegui-Sandoval, Heriberto Machco-Pasmiño, Nancy Córdova-Limaylla, Marysela Ladera-Castañeda, Luis Cervantes-Ganoza and César Cayo-Rojas ()
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Flor Aquiles-Barzola: Grupo de Investigación Salud y Bienestar Global, Faculty of Dentistry and Postgraduate School, Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal, Lima 15001, Peru
Arturo Verástegui-Sandoval: Faculty of Health Sciences, Professional Academic School of Dentistry, Universidad Privada Norbert Wiener, Lima 15046, Peru
Heriberto Machco-Pasmiño: Faculty of Health Sciences, Professional Academic School of Dentistry, Universidad Privada Norbert Wiener, Lima 15046, Peru
Nancy Córdova-Limaylla: School of Stomatology, Universidad Privada San Juan Bautista, Lima 15067, Peru
Marysela Ladera-Castañeda: Grupo de Investigación Salud y Bienestar Global, Faculty of Dentistry and Postgraduate School, Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal, Lima 15001, Peru
Luis Cervantes-Ganoza: Faculty of Stomatology, Universidad Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, Lima 15084, Peru
César Cayo-Rojas: Grupo de Investigación Salud y Bienestar Global, Faculty of Dentistry and Postgraduate School, Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal, Lima 15001, Peru

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 2, 1-16

Abstract: Aim: In dental practice there is a high risk of contact with fluids that may contain SARS-CoV-2. Salivary secretions in the form of droplets are the main route of infection. The present study aimed to evaluate factors associated with epidemiological, preventive and health care knowledge of dentists from the north of the Peruvian capital about COVID-19. Materials and Methods: This analytical, observational, cross-sectional and prospective study evaluated 142 dental professionals from the Directorate of Integrated Health Networks (DIRIS) in the north of the Peruvian capital during June to August 2022. A validated questionnaire of 20 closed multiple-choice questions was used to measure the level of epidemiological, preventive and health care knowledge about COVID-19. A logit model was used to evaluate the influence of the following variables: age, sex, marital status, children, origin, university of origin, academic degree, work modality, work status and number of training courses. In addition, a predictive model was constructed with the causal variables considering a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: Epidemiological, preventive and health care knowledge about COVID-19 was fair in 17.6%, 34.5% and 57.7%, respectively. Likewise, all the variables analyzed were influential factors. It was observed that being single (OR = 0.05, CI: 0.01–0.26), having studied at a private university (OR = 0.09, CI: 0.023–0.38) and having received four to six trainings on COVID-19 related topics (OR = 0.02, CI: 0.002–0.238) were protective factors against fair knowledge. Conclusions: More than half of the dentists surveyed had fair knowledge about COVID-19. The factors that favored a good level of overall knowledge were: being single, having studied at a private university and having received 4 to 6 training courses on COVID-19-related topics. It is advisable that the competent authorities continue to educate dental professionals with training programs about infection control practices in accordance with the health care work they perform in their specialty. It will also be of utmost importance for the professional to be updated with reliable information accredited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the WHO.

Keywords: level of knowledge; dentistry; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; health care; prevention; epidemiology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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