Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices about Early Childhood Caries among Postgraduates of Healthcare Professional Courses in Belagavi City

Abstract

Aim and objective: The aim and objective of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices about early childhood caries (ECC) among postgraduates of healthcare professional courses of Belagavi city. Materials and methods: A sample of 400 participants were divided into four groups: dental, medical, homeopathy, and Ayurveda. An 18-item validated questionnaire containing four domains of professional demographic data, knowledge, attitude, and practices was distributed among the participants. The data collected were statistically analyzed. Results: The descriptive analysis was used followed by Chi square for association and one-way ANOVA for comparison followed by the Karl Pearson correlation coefficient for determining the correlation between knowledge, attitude, and practices of postgraduates. The results were found to be highly statistically significant when correlation was done between knowledge, attitude, and practices among the postgraduates of healthcare professional courses (p < 0.0001). Clinical significance: The findings that we get from this study are helpful in gauging the knowledge, attitude, and practices about ECC among postgraduates of healthcare professional courses in Belagavi city, which will help us to recommend the respective governing bodies to include ECC in their curriculum and train them, which will help in reducing the prevalence of ECC. Conclusion: The study concludes that there is a need to increase the level of knowledge, attitude, and practices among postgraduates of healthcare professional courses about ECC.