Factors affecting awareness and practice of primary health care professionals towards interaction of various medications used in systemic conditions, and its effect on periodontal health

BACKGROUND: Interaction of various drugs and its effects on gingival and periodontal health is the area of concern; hence the aim of the present study was to explore factors affecting the awareness and practice of primary health care professionals towards the interaction of various medications used for systemic diseases on periodontal health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was a cross-sectional, descriptive, questionnaire study conducted among 203 primary health care professionals which include 94 medical officers and 109 nurses working in primary health centers in rural areas of Udaipur district. The study was conducted in December 2019. Sampling techniques was stratified random sampling technique. A close-ended questionnaire was prepared to conduct an interview schedule. RESULTS: The majority of health professionals had poor awareness (157 [77.33%]) and poor practice (168 [82.75%]) regarding the interaction of various medications used in systemic conditions and periodontal health. Factors that significantly affect awareness and practice of study participants were age (0.01*), degree (0.05*), and number of patients with oral problems seen in a week (0.05*), gender (0.05*), designation (0.05*). CONCLUSION: From above it was concluded that awareness and practice of primary care health professionals were poor. The factors that affect significantly affect awareness and knowledge of study participants was age, degree and number of patients with oral problems seen in a week, gender, designation, no. of patient attended in a day.