Pengetahuan, Sikap dan Tindakan Penggunaan Cotton Bud pada Mahasiswa Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Sumatera Utara Angkatan 2018

Abstract

Background : This study aims to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding cotton bud use among 2018 students of the Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara. This was a descriptive analytic study with a cross-sectional design, involving all 253 students from the 2018 cohort through an online questionnaire. The results showed that the majority of students had poor knowledge (59.7%), very good attitudes (52.2%), and generally appropriate practices, with only 16.6% of respondents experiencing complications. The most reported complication was ear pain (28.57%). These findings indicate that while students exhibit positive attitudes toward cotton bud use, their knowledge remains insufficient, highlighting the need for further education on the risks and appropriate methods of ear cleaning.