Table 3.
Self-reported misconceptions on COVID-19 among dental interns, auxiliaries, and specialists (N = 206).
| Knowledge items | Interns N = 60 | Auxiliaries N = 80 | Specialists N = 66 | p-value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Is sneezing a symptom | ||||
| Yes | 46 (76.7) | 63 (78.8) | 55 (83.3) | 0.6 |
| Noa | 14 (23.3) | 17 (21.3) | 11 (16.7) | |
| Immediate response for suspected case | ||||
| Call emergency | 29 (48.3) | 22 (27.5) | 26 (39.4) | 0.2 |
| Refer him to a doctor | 13 (21.7) | 18 (22.5) | 10 (15.2) | |
| Ask travel historya | 16 (26.7) | 38 (47.5) | 28 (42.4) | |
| Do not know | 2 (3.3) | 2 (2.5) | 2 (3) | |
| Emergency number | ||||
| 937a | 49 (81.7) | 49 (61.3) | 51 (77.3) | 0.1 |
| 999 | 1 (1.7) | 12 (15) | 5 (7.6) | |
| 811 | 1 (1.7) | 2 (2.5) | 0 (0) | |
| Do not know | 9 (15) | 17 (21.3) | 10 (15.2) | |
| Safe distance | ||||
| Three feeta | 27 (45) | 59 (73.8) | 47 (71.2) | 0.004 |
| Six feet | 10 (16.7) | 4 (5) | 7 (10.6) | |
| Five feet | 4 (6.7) | 7 (8.8) | 4 (6.1) | |
| Do not know | 19 (31.7) | 10 (12.5) | 8 (12.1) | |
| Relatively low risk group | ||||
| 0–19 yearsa | 23 (38.3) | 45 (56.3) | 29 (43.9) | 0.2 |
| 20–29 years | 14 (23.3) | 13 (16.3) | 19 (28.8) | |
| 30 year and older | 3 (5) | 4 (5) | 5 (7.6) | |
| Do not know | 20 (33.3) | 18 (22.5) | 13 (19.7) | |
| What is COVID-19? | ||||
| Immunity Disorder | 5 (8.3) | 17 (21.3) | 9 (13.6) | 0.01 |
| SARS infection | 7 (11.7) | 11 (13.8) | 5 (7.6) | |
| Acquired Zoonotic | 44 (73.3) | 33 (41.3) | 40 (60.6) | |
| Pulmonary diseasea | 4 (6.7) | 19 (23.8) | 12 (18.2) | |
| High risk of infection transmits | ||||
| Dentists | 11 (18.3) | 4 (5) | 14 (21.2) | 0.01 |
| Nurses | 14 (23.3) | 11 (13.8) | 7 (10.6) | |
| Patients | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1 (1.5) | |
| Alla | 35 (58.3) | 65 (81.3) | 44 (66.7) | |
| Air borne | ||||
| Yesa | 38 (63.3) | 26 (32.5) | 41 (62.1) | <0.001 |
| No | 20 (33.3) | 44 (55) | 25 (37.9) | |
| I do not know | 2 (3.3) | 10 (12.5) | 0 (0) | |
| High proportion of morbidity | ||||
| Old peoplea | 54 (90) | 69 (86.3) | 66 (100) | 0.02 |
| Young children | 1 (1.7) | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | |
| I do not know | 5 (8.3) | 11 (13.8) | 0 (0) | |
| Latency period | ||||
| Immediately | 0 (0) | 1 (1.3) | 0 (0) | 0.4 |
| 2–14 daysa | 46 (76.7) | 61 (76.3) | 43 (65.2) | |
| 14–28 days | 13 (21.7) | 17 (21.3) | 23 (34.8) | |
| I do not know | 1 (1.7) | 1 (1.3) | 0 (0) | |
| First symptoms | ||||
| Fever | 3 (5) | 2 (2.5) | 3 (4.5) | 0.5 |
| Difficulty in breathing | 5 (8.3) | 4 (4) | 1 (1.5) | |
| Botha | 49 (81.7) | 73 (91.3) | 62 (93.9) | |
| Do not know | 1 (1.7) | 1 (1.3) | 0 (0) | |
| Common symptoms of flu and COVID-19 | ||||
| Sneezing and fever | 22 (36.7) | 35 (43.8) | 40 (60.6) | 0.1 |
| Coughing and fevera | 10 (16.7) | 9 (11.3) | 8 (12.1) | |
| Both right | 13 (21.7) | 12 (15) | 10 (15.2) | |
| Both wrong | 9 (15) | 10 (12.5) | 3 (4.5) | |
| Do not know | 6 (10) | 13 (16.3) | 5 (7.6) | |
| Antibiotics for treatment | ||||
| Yes | 5 (8.3) | 6 (7.5) | 2 (3) | <0.001 |
| Noa | 36 (60) | 55 (68.8) | 62 (93.9) | |
| Do not know | 19 (31.7) | 18 (22.5) | 2 (3) | |
| Recommended personal prevention | ||||
| Wear n95 mask | 13 (21.7) | 17 (21.3) | 23 (34.8) | 0.2 |
| Surgical mask | 1 (1.7) | 5 (6.3) | 4 (6.1) | |
| Washing handsa | 44 (73.3) | 57 (71.3) | 39 (59.1) | |
| Other recommended precaution | ||||
| Avoid Undercooked food | 1 (1.7) | 2 (2.5) | 2 (3) | <0.001 |
| Inhale steam | 27 (45) | 54 (67.5) | 39 (59.1) | |
| Avoid large crowdsa | 25 (41.7) | 12 (15) | 8 (12.2) | |
| Do not touch face with hands | 1 (1.7) | 1 (1.3) | 6 (9.1) | |
| Do not know | 4 (6.7) | 10 (12.5) | 11 (16.7) | |
| Availability of vaccine for COVID-19 | ||||
| Yes | 0 (0) | 2 (2.5) | 0 (0) | 0.1 |
| Noa | 46 (76.7) | 61 (76.3) | 59 (89.4) | |
| Do not know | 12 (20) | 16 (20) | 7 (10.6) | |
| Hot air prevents COVID-19 | ||||
| Yes | 3 (5) | 5 (6.3) | 0 (0) | 0.5 |
| Noa | 51 (85) | 64 (80) | 64 (97) | |
| Do not know | 6 (10) | 11 (13.8) | 2 (3) | |
Chi-square test.
Bold values are for the significant p-values.
a
Correct responses.