Evaluation of knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of medical and minor specialization students of Ankara University School of Medicine on notifiable diseases

Aim: To evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of Ankara University School of Medicine's medical and minor specialization students regarding notifiable infectious diseases and occupational diseases. Materials and Methods: The universe of the cross-sectional study consists of medical and minor specialization student physicians working at Ankara University School of Medicine (1103 people according to the number received from the academic staff unit on 26.07.22). The minimum sample size is 284.Sample; It is predominantly stratified for basic, internal and surgical sciences and minor specialization students. 432 (40% target) people were selected from the name list and 375 of them were reached (86.8% participation). The data collection form consists of 61 questions and was filled out under observation. SPSS version 26.0 was used to analyze the data. Descriptive statistics were calculated as mean, standard deviation, median, minimum, maximum values and percentages. The compliance of numerical data with normal distribution was evaluated. Chi-square and Fisher Exact test were used to compare categorical data according to independent variables. Statistical significance level was taken as p<0.05. Results: As a result of the research, 375 of the 432 targeted people (86.8%) were reached. The average age is 29.17±4.37 and 57.9% are women. The average working period is 1.95±1.25 years (4.16±4.17 years in the occupation). 272 (72.5%) of the study group had previously worked in different institutions. While 30.4% of the working group stated that they reported in the institution they work for; The most common answer given as the reason for not doing so is "as regard to my job description to give notice is not my responsibility " with 55.2% (people, 46.6% of the answers). 10.4% of the study group (15.7% of the answers) stated that they entered the correct ICD code for all notifiable infectious diseases diagnosed (the most common reason for not entering correct ICD code is "because I do not know the notifiable diseases"). The level of knowledge in many questions asked to the study group about notifiable infectious diseases and occupational diseases is low (mostly the answer "I don't know" is marked at most). To improve the notification issue of infectious diseases and of occupational diseases the most mentioned recommendation by the participants was education. Those doing compulsory service, minor specialization students, those who stated that they received training on notifiable infectious diseases, those who stated that they knew the meaning of the ICD code, and those who reported at the institution where they previously worked, stated that they entered the correct ICD code for all notifiable infectious diseases diagnosed, and submitted the relevant form (and complete) They stated that they filled it out. Those who have longer occupational experience and worked longer, those who reported in the institution they worked for, and those who stated that they entered the correct ICD code for all notifiable infectious diseases they diagnosed, filled out the relevant form, and completed it accurately and correctly, in general they answered the information questions more accurately. Conclusions: Notification is one of the basic tools in the fight against infectious diseases. First of all, the regulations, circulars and notification guides regarding the notification system need to be reviewed and corrected. Field-oriented, practical and periodic trainings should be provided before and after graduation. Regular and frequent inspections should carried out and feedback should be given. Personnel or teams responsible for notification should be established, and physicians should be the decision makers and guides on this issue. Similar studies should be carried out on reporting COVID-19 and occupational diseases. Studies evaluating the level of knowledge and reportings of physicians about infectious diseases are limited both in our country and around the world. It is recommended that more studies be conducted on this subject and reflect the results of the interventions.