Knowledge Evaluation of Tuberculosis in São Luís Dentists

Objectives: This study aims to appraise knowledge level about tuberculosis from dentists in São Luís County, emphasizing nosocomial transmission. Methods: A survey was made with 308 professionals that answered a questionnaire developed for the study. The first part of the questionnaire intended to assess defined variables and the second one had 14 objective questions about transmission, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. These questionnaires were received at the end of application turn. Results: Valid questionnaires were 220 and 88 were non-valid. Chi square test (X2) with significance level of 5% (α = 0,05) was used to analyze results. Variables age, sex, graduate level, years since graduation and college teaching did not interfere in number of right questions on valid questionnaires (p>0,05). However, variable years of practice on statistic test was significant (p<0,05). Therefore it was the only one that interfered on the result occurring influence on groups right question answered. Conclusions: The survey reveals low information level of dentistry professionals about tuberculosis. There was no influence of tested variables on sample scores, exception made to the variable years of practice.