Exploring the Knowledge, Awareness and Practice Regarding Post COVID-19 Mucormycosis among Dental Professionals in Tamil Nadu, India: A Cross-sectional Survey
Introduction: The incidence of mucormycosis in post Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) cases increased in the second wave. Patients who had COVID-19 infection with pre-existing co-morbidities underwent treatment and resultant immunosuppression made them vulnerable to secondary infections like mucor...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
2022-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.jcdr.net/articles/PDF/16576/52715_CE[Nik]_F(KM)_PF1(PS_SS)_PFA_NC(SC_KM)_PN(KM).pdf |
| Summary: | Introduction: The incidence of mucormycosis in post Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) cases increased in the second wave. Patients who had COVID-19 infection with pre-existing co-morbidities underwent treatment and resultant immunosuppression made them vulnerable to secondary infections like mucormycosis.
Aim: To analyse the knowledge, level of awareness and practice among the dental professionals towards the mucormycosis infection in patients of post COVID-19 disease.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted from May 2021 to June 2021 among 428 dental professionals residing in Tamil Nadu, India. The 16-item questionnaire consisted of questions about knowledge, awareness and practice regarding post COVID-19 mucormycosis infection. The questionnaire was sent to the dental practitioners through online portals. The responses were tabulated and the results were analysed using Chi-square test. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The study participants included 264 (61.68%) females and 164 (38.32%) males dental professionals. The dental professionals who participated were in the age range between 21 years to 45 years with a mean of 29.87±6.52 years. The subjects were categorised under general dental practitioners 254 (59.35%), postgraduate students 96 (22.43%), specialty dental practitioners 78 (18.22%). Total 406 (94.86%) respondents agreed that oral examination is necessary for post COVID-19 patient. Out of 428, 306 (71.5%) of the participants responded that tooth pain associated with headache is a watchful sign in diabetic post COVID-19 patients.
Conclusion: This study emphasises the role of dental professionals in diagnosis and management of mucormycosis infection in patients of post COVID-19 disease. Dental professionals demonstrated adequate knowledge about post COVID-19 mucormycosis. This may act as a source of information for the future pandemic crisis. |
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| ISSN: | 2249-782X 0973-709X |