Tingkat Pengetahuan, Sikap, dan Perilaku Mahasiswa Fakultas Kedokteran Universitas Sumatera Utara Angkatan 2020 terhadap Otitis Eksterna

Abstract

Background. Otitis externa is an infection of the external ear canal which is often caused by bacterial infection (Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa). This disease is one of the most frequently encountered complaints with an estimated incidence of around 10% of all ENT diseases. As a prospective health worker who will be dealing with patients suffering from variety of ailments, it is highly important to have good knowledge and understand the prevention of various diseases, one of which is otitis externa. Aim. This study aims to determine the level of knowledge, attitudes and behavior towards otitis externa among students class of 2020, Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra. Methods. This type of research is descriptive research with a cross-sectional design. Results. The highest percentage of knowledge regarding otitis externa was in the good category, as many as 68 people (93.3%). The attitude towards preventing otitis externa was mostly in the very good category, as many as 61 people (83.6%). As many as 67 participants (91.8%) exhibited good behavior when it came to preventing otitis externa. Furthermore, according to the gender, the percentage of knowledge level of otitis externa in the good category was found by men (90.3%) and women (95.2%). Regarding to the prevention of otitis externa, the percentage of attitudes was respectively obtained by men (83.9%) and women (83.3%), while the percentage of behavior was found by men (93.5%) and women (90.5%). Conclusion. The level of knowledge regarding otitis externa is in the good category, attitudes and behavior towards preventing otitis externa are in the very good and good categories respectively. Based on gender, there were no significant differences between male and female respondents in terms of otitis externa knowledge or attitudes and behavior towards preventing otitis externa.