Assessment of Hepatitis C Awareness Among the Dental Students and Interns in Dental Colleges in Nagpur, India

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is the primary cause of Hepatitis C, an infectious disease that mostly affects the liver [1]. Acute Hepatitis C virus infections are typically asymptomatic but can become life-threatening [1,2]. Hepatitis C is a hepatotropic RNA virus of the family Flaviviridae [3]. In 70% of cases, chronic HCV infection will occur [2]. Over a 20-year period, individuals with persistent HCV infection had a 15% to 30% chance of developing cirrhosis. The Hepatitis C virus is considered a global health concern. Prevalence of Hepatitis C infection in India varies from 0.9 to1.9%. Twelve million people in the European and Mediterranean regions are chronically afflicted with the disease. Infections affect about 10 million people in the Western Pacific and Southeast Asia regions [2]. The most prevalent ways that the HCV spread are as follows: Inadequate sterilization of dental and medical equipment, particularly used syringes and needles in dentistry and medical settings, or their reuse. The most common cause of liver transplants is hepatitis C, even though the infection typically returns after the procedure [2]. Fever, exhaustion, appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, dark urine and yellow ingof the skin or eyes (jaundice) are some of the symptoms that may be present [4]. Due to the increased danger of meeting patients who have hepatitis C, dental interns’ and students’ knowledge and attitudes regarding it are clinically significant in terms of its prevention. There is no hepatitis vaccination. About 85% of those infected had the virus still present in their liver. Hepatitis C cannot be prevented, although it can be managed with antiviral drugs. Peg-interferon and Ribavirin are conventional treatments, with Telaprevir or Boceprevir added in certain circumstances. In total, 50-80% of patients receive a cure [1]. People who get liver cancer or cirrhosis need a liver transplant [1]. Prompt identification and intervention can avert severe liver impairment and enhance enduring well-being. The study goal was to find out how much dental students and interns knew about hepatitis C infection Supplies and Procedures The purpose of this study was to assess participant knowledge of Hepatitis C including its mechanism of transmission, preventative measures, related consequences and the status of the HCV vaccine’s availability [1].

The updated survey was distributed via WhatsApp groups to RDDC interns and students who had consented to participate. The questionnaire, formatted in English, consisted of 20 questions. Participants were informed that their responses would be kept private and confidential. A total of 140 dental students completed the survey (Table 1). Data was entered, coded and analyzed using MS Excel. Statistical analysis was performed using frequencies and percentages for both qualitative and quantitative variables.

Table 1:

Data collected using a questionnaire consisting of participants’ demographic details, evaluation of knowledge, etiological, risk factors and precautions. Collected data was entered into the EXCEL SHEET and it was validated, tabulated and analyzed with the help of MS EXCEL and results were obtained. Descriptive statistics were done. Categorical variables were expressed in count and percentage. Chi square test was used to test associations between categorical variables. Survey results showed that awareness of Hepatitis C before entering medical studies was consistent across years (p=0.828). Knowledge improved with study progression regarding the asymptomatic nature of HCV (p=0.008) and the number of genotypes (p=0.034). Significant gains were also noted in awareness of protective aids (p=0.042), risk groups (p=0.000) and risks in dental practice (p=0.000). Most students consistently recognized injection drug use and blood exposure as key risk factors, understood transmission routes and followed safe practices such as sterilization and needle disposal, with no significant year-wise differences (Table 2). However, gaps persisted in vaccine awareness, incubation period knowledge, virus classification and aerosol transmission risks, indicating areas needing stronger curricular emphasis. Overall, awareness of Hepatitis C was high among both genders, with no significant difference in prior knowledge (p=0.778). Most students correctly identified key aspects such as asymptomatic nature, common symptoms, screening tests and safe practices like sterilization and needle disposal, with no major gender disparities. However, significant differences were observed in specific areas: females showed better understanding of transmission through infected blood (p=0.014), the number of HCV genotypes (p=0.018), extrahepatic manifestations (p=0.002) and high-risk groups (p=0.022), while males demonstrated stronger knowledge of virus classification (p=0.018). These findings suggest generally consistent awareness across genders but highlight the need for targeted educational efforts, particularly to address knowledge gaps among male students in certain domains.

Table 2:

This study was carried out in the group of first to final year dental students and interns in dental colleges in Nagpur about its transmission, etiological factor, knowledge and precautions who were supposed to have an adequate understanding and knowledge towards Hepatitis C, similarly AH Almansour studied Hepatitis C awareness among final year students at University of Dammam [5]. On the other hand, K. Shah observed among dental practitioners and interns practicing in Maharashtra, India [2]. Persons infected with HCV virus are generally without any symptoms and are unaware that they are infected with virus [6] most of the students at University of Dammam knew that people with hepatitis c virus infection are asymptomatic 62(75.6%) of males and 105(88.2%) females are aware that infection with HCV is asymptomatic [5]. Simultaneously there was a lot of confusion and doubt among students regarding symptoms with HCV infection 57.12% of students believe that the infection is asymptomatic, 39.81% of students say that it is temporary infection 1.35% believe that it cannot be prevented and 31.15% believed that it is treatable [1]. In the present study it was reported that 25 (17.86%) females had a better knowledge than males 3 (2.14%) about HCV infection that it is generally asymptomatic while 55(39.29%) females and 6(4.29%) believe that there is a vaccine to prevent 3(2.14%) and 17(12.14%) feel that there is no cure to H Hepatitis C infection (Table 3). As per the present study conducted the participants knowledge on unavailability of vaccine was low which was about 49% and knowledge on availability was 51 in which compared to the previous study conducted by K Shah et al. [2] which was seen to be very low of about 43% availability of vaccine and 57% unavailability of vaccine.

Table 3:

The study conducted by AH Almansour et al. [7] Aside from the fact that drug users can effectively spread drugs by injection through blood transfusions and organ donation, knowledge on most of the questions regarding transmission was lacking [5]. Also, the study conducted by MS Jamil et al. [8] it was seen that knowledge regarding the awareness of participants in the study areas regarding HCV it’s mode of transmission was inadequate [8]. Compared to our study 82% of students correctly identify exposure to infected blood as a primary transmission method. There are no significant differences among years showing consistent knowledge regarding transmission. And 12 % participants thought that it transmitted through sneezing or coughing. According to the study conducted by R Sharma et al. [1] it was seen that the awareness among the participants about the extra hepatic complications of Hepatitis C infection 371(71.35%) and 348 (66.92%) said that Hepatitis C may lead to liver failure and cirrhosis respectively. 196 (37.69%) students said that membranous glomerulonephritis is complications of Hepatitis C and 305(58.65%) said that hepatitis c infection might cause carcinoma of liver [1]. As per this study, the participants 19 (13.6%) said that Hepatitis C may lead to diabetes mellitus., 25 (17.9%) glomerulonephritis is caused and 15 (10.7%) said that Hepatitis C may lead to non-hodgkins lymphoma. And remaining 81 (57.9%) said that Hepatitis C infection leads to all the extrahepatic manifestations including diabetes mellitus, non-hodgkins lymphoma and glomerulonephritis. According to the study conducted by Al bawl et al. [9] it was seen that the anti HCV antibody test ELISA (21%) detects more HCV infection than HCV RNA method (17.2%) [3] Compared to our study there is a significant common understanding among all the students about initial testing methods with consistent level of awareness with Anti HCV ELISA 61 (43.6%) and HCV RNA by PCR 47(33.6%) [10].

Responses indicate that as dental students advance through their studies, their understanding of Hepatitis C improves in several areas, particularly regarding transmission, risk factors, etiological factors, diagnosis precautions and clinical practices. Although overall knowledge of HCV was adequate among participants there are significant gaps which need to be closed and modified. However, there are still significant gaps in knowledge regarding vaccines, transmission methods, and preventive measures, suggesting opportunities for curriculum enhancement.

The present study was approved by institutional ethical committee (Ethical clearance no. IEC/ RDDC&RC/Dean/48/2024 Date: 18/07/2024).

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