Evaluation Of Knowledge And Awareness Among Undergraduate Dental Students Regarding The Emerging Trend Of Travel Medicine In Khammam City

This study investigates dental students about awareness regarding emerging trend of travel medicine in Khammam city. Travellers play a significant role in spread of infections across various international borders through their travel patterns. Travellers not only play an important role in exposure to diseases for both themselves and the country they are visiting, but also bring about adverse health outcomes outside their home country, which may import various systemic diseases that are nonendemic to their country of origin. Travel medicine not only includes diagnosis, but also the treatment of returning travellers from the tour. A cross sectional survey was conducted among 201 undergraduate dental students focussing on their level of understanding and awareness regarding travel medicine. The results indicate moderate understanding among students regarding travel medicine. Statistical analysis highlights key areas where targeted education and understanding is needed to improve the knowledge among dental students regarding travel medicine in Khammam city. A total of 201 students took part with females 68.2% and males 31.8%. Age of participants ranges from 19-25. In this study, females have more knowledge than males and Interns have more knowledge followed by IV BDS students followed by III BDS students and II BDS students later by I BDS students. To assess attitudes among dental students towards the importance of travel medicine in Khammam city and to determine student's familiarity with travel medicine.