Education Perception, Experience, and Anxiety Level Among Undergraduate Dental Students in Malaysia During the Covid 19 Pandemic
https://doi.org/10.47836/mjmhs.19.4.12
- Author:
Nur Hafizah Kamar Affendi
1
;
Nor Faezah Md Bohari
2
;
Ameer Razek Bin Salihan
3
;
Nur Aishah Binti Rosman
3
Author Information
1. Unit of Prosthodontics, Centre of Restorative Dentistry Studies, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Teknologi MARA(UiTM), Kampus Sungai Buloh, Jalan Hospital, 47000 Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
2. Centre of Population Oral Health and Clinical Prevention Studies, Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Kampus Sungai Buloh, Jalan Hospital, 47000 Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
3. Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Teknologi MARA(UiTM), Kampus Sungai Buloh, Jalan Hospital, 47000 Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
COVID-19, Dental education, Psychological stress, Distance learning
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
2023;19(No.4):68-75
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: This study aims to explore the dental students’ educational experience, the protocol consideration after
school reopening and their physical health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Secondly, to evaluate the anxiety level
of dental students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: A cross-sectional survey was distributed with a hyperlink, reported as frequencies and percentages. A univariate analysis was used to explore the significant associations
between demographic variables and anxiety levels. The risk factor was also identified using regression analysis. A
two-tailed p<0.25 was considered significant. Results: A total of 333 respondents participated in the survey. Half of
the respondents (42.3%) were comfortable with distance learning but worried about passing their examination and
completing their clinical requirements. The transitioning to the online course by the lecturer was documented as
effective. Despite missing academic sessions, only 15.3% were willing to replace the loss of educational experience.
The majority of students (85.9%) believed that masks should be worn in school, but varied perceptions on wearing
gloves and frequent COVID-19 testing. For physical health, mostly concerned about contracting the virus after the
school reopens. For their anxiety level, nearly half have mild (n=99), moderate (n=55), and severe (n=36) levels.
The factors were mainly associated with gender, household income, type of university, and respondent’s accommodation. Conclusion: As positive feedback was recorded towards online learning, constant improvement is needed to
ensure the possibility of hybrid learning, even after the pandemic. The physical and psychological health of dental
students should be a priority, to ensure a smooth transition during these unprecedented circumstances.
- Full text:11.2023my1563.pdf
