AIDS and infection control: experiences, attitudes, knowledge and perception of occupational hazards among Nigerian dentists.
A questionnaire survey of 79 Nigerian dentists aged 21-60 years was carried out to evaluate their experiences, attitudes, knowledge, and infection control practices in relation to HIV infection. Their perceptions of various occupational hazards were also probed. 84.4% of them held the view that HIV-infected/AIDS patients should be treated in special treatment clinics. The risk of becoming infected was the paramount fear expressed by 88.6% of the dentists. This fear can be explained by the inadequate facilities in various dental clinics reported by 79.7% of them. Despite their lack of clinical experience in the management of oral manifestations of AIDS, a large proportion of them were quite knowledgeable. However, HIV infection was perceived with the highest degree of concern as the greatest occupational hazard by 87.2% of the dentists. Interdisciplinary collaboration among health professionals should be intensified to enhance prompt referral and comprehensive treatment of AIDS patients.
Department of Child Dental Health, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria.
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D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology*; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires