Perception of personal risk to covid 19 in graduates of the Norbert Private University School of Dentistry Vienna, year 2022

Abstract

Objective: To assess the perception of personal risk of COVID-19 among graduates of the Dentistry School and its relationship with the work area. Methodology: The sample consisted of 118 graduates selected through simple random probabilistic sampling. A questionnaire-based survey was applied, sent virtually. Reliability (Cronbach's Alpha 0.90) and validity (expert judgment) were evaluated. Results: A moderate perception of personal risk of COVID-19 was obtained, based on the Morton and Duck scale. The results showed that 89.9% consider the disease severe, 69.4% are very concerned about being affected, 74.6% believe there is a high probability of being affected, 46.6% consider themselves high-risk individuals for COVID-19, 88.2% perceive dental practice as a personal risk, 81.3% consider their job as one with exposure risk, 33% report their mental health has been affected by the pandemic, 26.3% are concerned that their mental health diagnosis may influence their dental practice, 40.7% feel worried about the news, and 72% feel safe after receiving the vaccine. A significant relationship was found between the perception of personal risk of COVID-19 and the work area (p=0.049). Conclusion: The perception of personal risk of COVID-19 was moderate among Dentistry School graduates, with a statistical association found between the risk perception and the work area.

La muestra la conformaron 118 egresados mediante muestreo probabilístico aleatorio simple; se aplicó una encuesta tipo cuestionario, enviada de forma virtual. Se evaluó la confiabilidad (Alfa de Cronbach 0,90) y la validez (juicio de expertos). Resultados: Se obtuvo una percepción moderada de riesgo personal al COVID-19, basado en la escala de Morton y Duck. El 89,9% cree que esta enfermedad es grave, el 69,4% se siente muy preocupado de ser afectado, el 74.6% cree que existe una alta probabilidad de ser afectado, el 46,6% se considera una persona de alto riesgo frente al COVID-19, el 88,2% considera la práctica odontológica como de riesgo personal, el 81.3% considera estar en un puesto de trabajo con riesgo a exposición, 33% considera que su salud mental se ha alterado por causa de la pandemia, al 26,3% le preocupan que su diagnóstico en salud mental influya en su práctica dental, 40,7% se siente preocupado por las noticias y el 72% se siente seguro después de haber recibido la vacuna. Se halló una relación significativa entre la percepción de riesgo personal al COVID-19 con el área laboral (p=0.049). Conclusión: La percepción de riesgo personal al COVID-19 fue moderada en los egresados de la escuela de odontología, existiendo asociación estadística con el área de desempeño laboral.