Awareness about convalescent plasma therapy in managing covid-19 among dental students

Abstract

A coronavirus is indeed a group of viruses which inflict a variety of dangerous human diseases including the common cold and far more extreme types such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). The medical emergency caused due to SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (COVID-19) throughout the city of Wuhan, China, is now a pandemic that has spread to nearly 200 countries. Over several million people globally were already diagnosed with the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. This survey was performed for assessing the awareness about convalescent plasma therapy in managing COVID-19 amongst dental students. A questionnaire oriented cross-sectional type of survey was done in a group comprising 100 dental college students in Chennai. A self-designed questionnaire contains 10 questions based on the knowledge and awareness about Convalescent Plasma therapy  among dental college students. Questionnaires were circulated through an online website survey planet. The questions explored the awareness of Convalescent Plasma therapy, indications, contraindications, mechanism of action and side effects.  After the responses were received from 100 participants, data were collected and analyzed. 9% are aware of Convalescent Plasma therapy. 15% are aware of the mechanism of action of Convalescent Plasma therapy. 15% are aware of the indications of Convalescent Plasma therapy. 13% are aware of the contraindications of Convalescent Plasma therapy. 11% are aware of the side effects of Convalescent Plasma therapy. The awareness about convalescent plasma therapy was less among dental students. Increased awareness and educational programs should be initiated to spread knowledge about plasma therapy.