KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND AWARENESS ON ENTOMOPHOBIA AMONG UNDERGRADUATE DENTAL STUDENTS IN SOUTH INDIA- A QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY

Abstract

Background: Phobia is defined as fear or aversion to something or someone. Entomophobia is the fear of insects. People get an aversion when they see an insect or when it falls on them. The level of fear varies from person to person, ranging from moving away to fainting, panicking, or freaking out.

Aim: This study is done to analyze the level of fear of insects among undergraduate dental students of south India.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 dental students of a private dental college in Chennai. A questionnaire consisting of 10 questions was circulated through google forms. The responses were collected through an online google form link which was shared and the knowledge, awareness, and attitude of the population was analyzed using SPSS statistical software. The results were formulated using SPSS software version 23.0. Descriptive statistics were used to plot the pie charts and chi-square analysis was done for correlation graphs.

Results: 64.5% were aware of the term entomophobia, while 35.5% aren’t aware. When an insect is seen by the respondent, 25.5% freak out, 11.8% ignore, 40% move away, 13.6% have no reaction, and 9.1% stay still and calm. The aversion is due to the appearance of the insect for 37.3%, harmful nature for 25.5%, irritation when it falls on the respondent for 36.4%, and no aversion for 0.9%. After seeing an insect, 15.5% have fainted, 17.3% have left an occasion, 18.2% have suffered panic attacks and 49.1% have run away. The aversion is instant for 35.5%, persists for some time for 54.5%, and persists for a long time for 10%. 34.5% have had nightmares after seeing an insect while 65.5% do not get any nightmares.

Conclusion: The present study concludes that the students are aware of entomophobia and females have a greater fear of insects than males. Awareness camps, seminars, social media, and workshops can be conducted to help people suffering from entomophobia, by which they can overcome and get physical and mental relief and also have a normal lifestyle without any disturbances due to insects.