Relationship between Knowledge Level and Preventive Behavior of Septic Arthritis in Student Batch 2019-2020, Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra

Background: Septic arthritis is an infectious disease that severely damages the joints with clinical manifestations such as swelling, erythema and warmth of the affected joint. The most common cause of this disease is the result of hematogenous spread of microorganisms. Some of the risk factors include injection drug use, prosthetic joints and skin infection. The incidence of septic arthritis is 5 to 8 per 100,000 population per year with 5-10% mortality rate, therefore preventive behavior is needed to minimize the incidence of septic arthritis. Methods: This study is an observational analytic study with a cross-sectional approach. The research population consisted of students from batch 2019-2020 of the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra and the sample was determined using stratified random sampling method. Primary data were obtained directly from research subjects using questionnaires via Google Forms. Results: The univariate research analysis found that the knowledge level of the majority of respondents was in the good category, with 45 subjects (53.6%). The most predominant behavior observed in the respondents was negative behavior, with 49 subjects (58.3%). Bivariate analysis found that there was no significant relationship between knowledge level and septic arthritis prevention behavior with p value = 0.809. Conclusion: Students from batch 2019-2020 of the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra, on average have a good level of knowledge and negative behavior on the prevention of septic arthritis. There is no relationship between the level of knowledge with septic arthritis prevention behavior.