PREVALENCE OF ALGOPHOBIA AMONG UNDERGRADUATE DENTAL STUDENTS - A QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY

Abstract

Background: Algophobia is one of the most common phobias. Algophobia or algiophobia is a phobia of pain - an abnormal and persistent fear of pain that is far more powerful than that of a normal person. It can be treated with behavioral therapy and anti-anxiety medication. The aim of this study is to check the knowledge about algophobia among dental students.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted across dental institutions in Chennai city in the form of google forms. A questionnaire was circulated through google forms to dental students. All the responses were collected and exported in SPSS version 23 software. Chi square analysis was used for data summarisation and presentation.

Results: A total of 117 students participated in the survey. In demographics more than half of the participants were female (57.9%) and males (10.5%) and (31.6%)had chosen the option prefer not to say. Most respondents (56.9%) have felt that their fear is strange or irrelevant. In this study females have high phobia levels since the population size of females is more. The data analysed was statistically significant with p<0.05.

Conclusion:  Our study concluded that females are said to have algophobia more than males.. The cognitive behavioural therapy resulted in a significant reduction of fear of pain and movement in the patient which was positively reflected in the quality of the life.