Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding tooth brush maintenance toward COVID-19 prevention among students at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University

Background: Using a toothbrush has a role in the spread and infection of viruses. Toothbrush contamination can be limited with proper sterilization, storage, and replacement. Objective: To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to disinfection, preservation, and replacement of toothbrushes in the prevention of COVID-19 among students of Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study on 700 students was conducted from January 2022 to April 2022. Data were collected by direct survey based on a set of prepared questionnaires. Results: The rate of correct knowledge, positive attitude, and correct practice is 42.6%, 53.1%, and 46.1%. 14.9% of students disinfected with disinfectant solutions. 22.7% of students kept it separately, and 62% replaced the brush every three months. The percentage of students who practice correctly increases when they know infectious agents and modes of infection, have a positive attitude about the need to disinfect brushes, and self-assessed good/good oral hygiene (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The study shows that the percentage of students at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy have adequate knowledge (42.6%), positive attitudes (53.1%), and proper practice (46.1%) about using toothbrushes in the prevention of COVID-19 is low. Simultaneous, the study also shows a statistically significant positive correlation between knowledge, attitude, and practice about using toothbrushes. Key words: toothbrush, COVID-19, student.