Knowledge and Apprehension of Dental Patients about MERS-A Questionnaire Survey

Knowledge and Apprehension of Dental Patients about MERS-A Questionnaire Survey

Bassel Tarakji, Abdulwahab Abuderman, Nipun ASHOK, Jean Clare Rodrigues, Khalid Azouni, Shorouk Darwish, Abdul Aziz Fahad Alkaabba

Introduction: Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is adisease caused by beta corona virus. From April 11th to 9th June2014, World Health Organization (WHO) reported a total of 402laboratory confirmed cases of MERS from KSA, out of which132 cases were reported from Riyadh alone.Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge andapprehension of patients about MERS visiting Al Farabi Collegeof Dentistry, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire basedsurvey was conducted which consisted of 10 self-preparedquestions. A total of 404 patients participated in this study.Results: Three hundred and forty patients had heard aboutMERS. Nearly a quarter of the patients (25.74%) wereapprehensive about undergoing dental treatment because ofMERS. A little more than half of the patients (50.99%) knew thatcamel is a source of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus. Most of the patients (80.72%) were aware of the infectioncontrol measures to be followed by dentist and 138 patientsclaimed they took some precaution when present inside thedental college.Conclusion: Majority of the patients had heard about MERS andwas aware of the infection control measures. However, somepatients were apprehensive about undergoing dental treatmentbecause of MERS. Further steps need to be taken to educatethe patient's about transmission of MERS and infection controlmeasures in a dental hospital.

2016

coronavirus, respiratory infection, aerosol infection

DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2016/17519.7790

Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research

JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited

Medicine