Journal of Oral Health and Community Dentistry

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VOLUME 2 , ISSUE 3 ( September-December, 2008 ) > List of Articles

RESEARCH ARTICLE

A Comparative Study of Oral Health Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior of First and Final Year Dental Students of Udaipur City, Rajasthan.

Archana J Sharda, Srinath Shetty

Citation Information : Sharda AJ, Shetty S. A Comparative Study of Oral Health Knowledge, Attitude and Behavior of First and Final Year Dental Students of Udaipur City, Rajasthan.. J Oral Health Comm Dent 2008; 2 (3):46-54.

DOI: 10.5005/johcd-2-3-46

License: NA

Published Online: 01-01-2013

Copyright Statement:  NA


Abstract

OBJECTIVE

To assess and compare differences in oral health knowledge, attitudes and behavior among first and final year dental students in Udaipur city, Rajasthan, India.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, 182 first year students (59 males and 123 females) and 157 final year students (75 males and 82 females) of the two dental colleges in Udaipur city; Rajasthan, were surveyed using a self administered structured questionnaire including 37 multiple choice questions pre-tested through a pilot survey. The data was analyzed using the SPSS version 10.0 . The mean percentage scores, standard deviation, and frequency distribution were calculated. The Student's T-test and ANOVA test were used as test of significance. The linear regression analysis were used to assess the relation of knowledge, attitude and behavior.

RESULTS

The mean % score for oral health knowledge, attitude and behavior were significantly higher in final year students compared to first year students. (p<0.001). The linear regression analysis showed a statistically significant linear relationship of attitude with the knowledge (p<0.001) and behavior with the attitude (p<0.001) of the students.

CONCLUSION

Besides the positive changes revealed in the oral health knowledge, attitude and behavior, among the students from first to final year of dental studies, preventive behavior among the students could still be improved.


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