KNOWLEDGE, AWARENESS AND PREVALENCE ABOUT IATROPHOBIA AMONG PRECLINICAL UNDERGRADUATE DENTAL STUDENTS - A QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY

Abstract

Introduction: Iatrophobia is the fear of doctors, common in medical aid systems. It is common among patients and has a negative impact on health and seeks behaviour and relationship. The aim of this study is to evaluate iatrophobia among dental students.

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, awareness and prevalence of Iatrophobia among undergraduate dental students.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 146 students from saveetha Dental college and Hospitals, Chennai. Simple random sampling technique was employed.  (SPSS) software version 23.0 was used for analytics, Pearson’s chi-square association was done to assess fear among dental students among the participants.

Results: Among the population involved in the study the awareness levels are 53.85 % and there is no statistically significant difference in males and females regarding the awareness levels. The chi square values were not statistically significant [p value 0.093(>0.05)].

Conclusion: Within the limitations of the study, the study assessed the knowledge and awareness of Iatrophobia among undergraduate dental students, the responses elucidates that there is prevalence of Iatrophobia among the responders and to overcome Iatrophobia counselling will be required who are suffering from Iatrophobia.