A cognitive study on endocarditis among students of the Faculty of Medicine at the Syrian Private University

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a life-threatening disease caused by the attachment of bacteria to the lining of the heart and heart valves, and can be caused by bacterial contamination of the bloodstream during invasive dental procedures or various surgical procedures. Assessing students' awareness of this disease could, in the long term, improve patient care and reduce the risk of developing this disease, thus improving the quality of life for those afflicted with this disease and reducing the health and economic burdens associated with it. Our goal in this study is to evaluate awareness among students of the Faculty of Medicine at the Syrian Private University about endocarditis. Methods: A cross-sectional study, conducted at the Syrian Private University, including 240 male and female students from 6/7/2023 to 8/26/2023. It included students from the Syrian Private University, Faculty of Human Medicine. Via a self-completed questionnaire. Results: Out of 240 students who participated in the study, the percentage of females was 124 (51.7%), and males were 116 (48.3%). The largest proportion of sixth-year students was 94 (39.2%). The ages of participating students ranged from 18-27 years, with an average age of 24 years. The students' source of information, university courses, was 160 (58.8%). It was found that students had good awareness about endocarditis 214 (89.2%). Female students had greater knowledge about the disease (91.9%), compared to males (86.2%). The sixth-year students' knowledge was the greatest, 88 (93.6%), followed by the fifth-year students, 35 (92.1%).