Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Towards Dental Ergonomics of Undergraduate Students From Faculty of Dentistry, Manipal University College Malaysia.
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Abstract
Introduction: Ergonomics, a crucial aspect in dentistry, addresses the interaction between individuals and their work environment, aiming to prevent musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The aim of the present study was to assess the KAP of dental students in a university college in Malaysia. Material & methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 207 students from Years 2 to 5, using a self-administered validated 27-item questionnaire assessing the KAP towards ergonomics among dental students at Manipal University College Malaysia (MUCM). The KAP of various academic years was compared and association between knowledge, attitude and practice was assessed using chi-square test. Bonferroni post-hoc comparison test was done to identify which academic years are significantly different from each other. Results: The respondents were distributed across academic levels as follows: 25.12% in Year 2, 21.74% in Year 3, 28.50% in Year 4, and 24.64% in Year 5. Only 17.2% of students demonstrated adequate knowledge, yet 59.6% maintained a positive attitude towards ergonomics. However, a concerning 81.3% exhibited poor ergonomic practices. There was significant different in knowledge (p≤ 0.001) and attitude (p≤ 0.001) across the years, however, difference in the practice (p≤ 0.562) was not statistically significant. A strong association was found between knowledge, attitude and practice. Conclusion: The knowledge of dental ergonomics among undergraduate dental students at MUCM is fair. Academic year has and influence on knowledge and attitude but not on practice. However generally students with better knowledge about dental ergonomics tend to have better attitude and practice towards the same.
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