Knowledge, attitude, behavioural response and use of preventive measures regarding pandemic H1N1 influenza outbreak among dental students in Udaipur city, India.

Purpose: To assess the knowledge, attitude, behavioural response and use of preventive measures regarding a pandemic H1N1 influenza outbreak among dental students.

Materials And Methods: In a cross-sectional study, a total of 448 dental students (118 in preclinical categories, 330 in clinical categories) were surveyed using a self-administered, structured questionnaire pretested through a pilot survey.

Results: Out of 448 dental students, 92.6% had heard about swine flu, whereas only 64.3% of them knew about the H1N1 virus. More than 50% of dental students showed a positive response towards swine flu attitude, and pandemic H1N1 influenza modified the behaviour of dental students. Respondents rated hand washing and face masks as the most effective measures for the prevention of pandemic influenza.

Conclusion: Half of the dental students had enough information and showed a positive attitude towards a H1N1 pandemic influenza outbreak. However, the behavioural response of the participants was poor.