Open AccessKNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS REGARDING ANTIBIOTIC PROPHYLAXIS FOR INFECTIVE ENDOCARDITIS AMONG UNDERGRADUATE DENTAL STUDENTS
Author(s) -
Santhosh Kumar,
S Sneha
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
asian journal of pharmaceutical and clinical research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2455-3891
pISSN - 0974-2441
DOI - 10.22159/ajpcr.2016.v9s2.13405
Subject(s) - medicine , antibiotic prophylaxis , infective endocarditis , amoxicillin , pediatrics , clindamycin , family medicine , antibiotics , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
Objective: To evaluate the knowledge and awareness regarding antibiotic prophylaxis for infective endocarditis (IE) among undergraduate dental students. Methods: A validated questionnaire of 16 questions, regarding the basic knowledge and awareness about antibiotic prophylaxis for the prevention of IE, was distributed among 100 students randomly belonging to final year and internship (5 year trainee) of the undergraduate dental program in Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha University, Chennai. The data extracted were tabulated, statistically analyzed, and results obtained. Results were calculated on the basis of frequency and percentages using SPSS Version 20.0. th Results: About 73% of the students were aware of IE prophylaxis, and 40% of dental students were exposed to treating patients susceptible to IE. 56% of participants answered that amoxicillin is the first line of antibiotic for IE prophylaxis and 59% replied 2 g PO 1 hr before the appointment is the recommended regimen. 36% said that erythromycin is no longer recommended by American Heart Association for IE prophylaxis. However, only one-third of the participants knew about the cardiac conditions and dental procedures that require antibiotic prophylaxis for the prevention of IE. Furthermore, only 16% knew about the recommended dosage of clindamycin. Conclusion: This study revealed a reasonable knowledge and awareness about IE prophylaxis among undergraduate dental students but was inadequate. Hence, this study emphasizes the need for improved education in the teaching curriculum for dental students regarding IE prophylaxis. A standard protocol regarding the training as well as preventive measures for IE should be formulated for the dental students and the knowledge acquired must be transferred into practice. Keywords: Infective endocarditis, Prophylaxis, Antibiotics, Dental students, Knowledge.