A Survey on Amoebiasis among Undergraduate Dental Students

Aim The aim of this study is to assess and evaluate the knowledge on amoebiasis among undergraduate Dental students. Objective This study is to create awareness about the etiology, signs& symptoms, and prevention of amoebiasis among undergraduate dental students. Background Amoebiasis, also known as amebiasis or entamoebiasis, is an infection caused by any of the amoebas of the Entamoeba group. Symptoms are most common upon infection by Entamoeba histolytica. Amoebiasis can present with no, mild, or severe symptoms. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, mild diarrhoea, bloody diarrhoea or severe colitis with tissue death and perforation. This last complication may cause peritonitis. People affected may develop anaemia due to loss of blood. Prevention of amoebiasis is by separating food and water from faeces and by proper sanitation measures. There is no vaccine. There are two treatment options depending on the location of the infection. Amoebiasis in tissues is treated with either metronidazole, tinidazole, nitazoxanide, dehydroemetine or chloroquine. Result On analysing the above data, 83.9 % of the students were aware about amoebiasis and 41.6 % were unaware about the investigations done. Conclusion From the obtained data we can look over that most of the students were aware about causes, signs and symptoms, prevention and treatment, but their knowledge regarding their investigation is comparatively less.