KNOWLEDGE, AWARENESS, AND PREVALENCE OF BAROPHOBIA AMONG UNDERGRADUATE DENTAL STUDENTS - A QUESTIONNAIRE STUDY

Abstract

Background: Barophobia is an anxiety disorder characterized by fear caused by either or actions of gravity. No specific cause of barophobia was recorded. The aim of the study is to evaluate the awareness of barophobia  (fear of gravity)  among undergraduate dental students. 

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 dental students of a private dental college in Chennai. The institutional review board clearance was obtained following which a Questionnaire consisting of 10 questions was circulated through google forms. 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: 30% of responders are aware of barophobia. 48.5 % of responders are within the age group of 18-28 Years, among them 58.3% of responders are females and 41.7% are males.

Conclusion: Less than half of the responders are aware of barophobia. Based on the findings we can conclude that fear of gravity is not common in dental students. Psychological intervention helps any affected people with barophobia to overcome the fear of gravity.