IP International Journal of Periodontology and Implantology 2020;5(2):78–86 Content available at: https://www.ipinnovative.com/open-access-journals IP International Journal of Periodontology and Implantology Journal homepage: www.ipinnovative.com Original Research Article Assesment of knowledge and awareness regarding novel coronavirus (COVID-19) among dental professionals of Hazaribag District, Jharkhand, India Annapurna Ahuja 1 , Mohammed Ahsan Razi 1, *, Seema Qamar 2 1 Dept. of Periodontology, Hazaribag College of Dental Sciences & Hospital, Hazaribag,, Jharkhand, India 2 Dept. of Pedodontics & Preventive Dentsiry, Hazaribag College of Dental Sciences & Hospital, Hazaribag, Jharkhand, India ARTICLE INFO Article history: Received 13-05-2020 Accepted 26-05-2020 Available online 18-08-2020 Keywords: Coronavirus COVID19 Dental Health professionals SARS CoV2 ABSTRACT Aims: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge and awareness regarding novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) among dental professionals of Hazaribag district, Jharkhand, India.. Subjects and Methods: The study population comprised of total 240 dental health professionals (DHPs) of Hazaribag district, Jharkhand. Data were obtained through a questionnaire containing 20 multiple-choice questions. The qualitative analysis was done using Chi-square test, P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Qualitative analysis of results of responses of DHPs on the knowledge and awareness of COVID- 19 revealed that irrespective of their educational qualification and experience in the field of dentistry, the majority had sufficient knowledge on various aspects of the disease. However, responses of DHPs belonging to different qualification groups to questions that were related to age group at risk of getting COVID- 19 infection, the genetic makeup of SARS CoV-2, it’s mode of transmission and use of recommended norms useful in preventing COVID-19 infection showed different levels of knowledge and awareness on the disease that were statistically significant (p<0.05) © 2020 Published by Innovative Publication. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) 1. Introduction Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome- coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It started in Wuhan city, China in December 2019 and caused severe respiratory syndrome that spread rapidly to different parts of China and ultimately to different parts of the world has emerged as a global pandemic. 1–3 The highly infectious disease with appreciable fatality rates has become a significant public health problem across the globe, including India. In India, the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was reported from the state of Kerela on January 30, 2020 in a student who had returned from Wuhan, China. Since then, as on May 07, 2020, there are more than 52,000 confirmed positive cases in the country. 4 Based on the phylogenetic analysis of viral genome COVID-19 have * Corresponding author. E-mail address: mahsan0708@gmail.com (M. A. Razi). been identified as Beta CoV. 5,6 On January 30, 2020, the world health organization (WHO) has declared this devastating global pneumonia outbreak of infectious disease as a public health emergency of international concern. 7 The recent findings suggest its interpersonal transmission mainly via respiratory droplets and contacts and its transmission through aerosols, or vertical transmission remains to be confirmed. 8,9 Further contact transmission with saliva, nasal and eye secretions are common transmission routes of COVID-19 infection. 10,11 Further, it is generally accepted that both symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients are the primary sources of transmission. 12,13 Although, individuals of all age groups are susceptible to this disease, those who are in close contact with the patients are at higher risk of COVID- 19 infection. Since health care workers are more indulged in contact with symptomatic and asymptomatic COVID-19 patients, they are at higher risk of infection. In late January https://doi.org/10.18231/j.ijpi.2020.018 2581-9836/© 2020 Innovative Publication, All rights reserved. 78