Ebola virus disease: Awareness among dental students in Hungary

Abstract

Introduction: The Ebola epidemic has claimed thousands of lives in Africa, and there has been a mounting pressure on the healthcare systems around the globe to prepare for the showing up of patients infected with this virus. Junior clinicians are at the forefront of medical teams, often coming into contact with patients first, during clerking and admissions. This study assesses the level of knowledge of Ebola virus disease (EVD) among dental students at Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey of 257 dental students was carried out across five different courses. Each of the students was asked to fill out a detailed questionnaire comprising of 11 questions, to assess their knowledge about signs and symptoms, investigations, management, and sequelae of the virus and the outbreak.

Findings: This study highlighted that there is an overall lack of knowledge about critical aspects of EVD among dental students. We found that the participating students scored less than 60% for 8 of the 11 questions, including those assessing their recognition and subsequent management of EVD.

Conclusion: These results are concerning and the medical universities and dental schools need to act fast to prepare the Hungary's dental (and medical) students and junior doctors for an inevitable influx of infected patients.

Keywords: Ebola virus; awareness; dental students; prophylaxis; questionnaire.