Evaluation of coronavirus awareness, anxiety and oral care habits of Biruni University students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Ertem, E. (2024). Evaluation of Coronavirus Awareness, Anxiety and Oral Care Habits of Biruni University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic. PhD Thesis, Biruni University Graduate Education Institute, Istanbul. This study was conducted to examine the changes in COVID-19 awareness, anxiety, and oral hygiene habits of Biruni University students during the pandemic period. It was conducted at Biruni University in Istanbul between November 2021 and May 2022. Sample size estimation calculation was made in simple random sampling with a known universe.. 562 university students were included in the study. Data were collected online using a data collection form consisting of five sections using the online survey method via the "Google Forms" (Google Inc., Californiya, USA.) platform. Data in the Study; The data were obtained using the Personal Information Form, Coronavirus (COVID-19) Anxiety Scale, Coronavirus Awareness Scale, Oral Care Habits Before the COVID-19 Pandemic, and Oral Care Habits During the COVID-19 Pandemic forms. Our study is the first study in the literature to examine COVID-19 awareness, anxiety, and oral hygiene habits and changes in oral hygiene habits among university students. According to the results obtained; It was determined that coronavirus anxiety showed a significant difference only according to the university unit studied, year-grade level, family income, and mother's profession (P < 0,05). In the total coronavirus awareness, it was determined that there was a significant relationship with the age variable; and there were significant differences according to the place of residence, grade-grade level, and mother's profession (P < 0,05). During the pandemic, there was an increase in the frequency of tooth brushing, frequency of mouthwash use, tongue brushing, frequency of toothbrush change, frequency of dental floss use, and frequency of acidic beverage consumption compared to the pre-pandemic period(P < 0,05). Keywords: Anxiety in University Students; Awareness in University Students; COVID-19 Pandemic; Oral Hygiene.