Factors associated with Mexico City dentists' willingness to treat AIDS/HIV-positive patients.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics and infection control practices of dentists in Mexico City in relation to their willingness to treat AIDS/HIV-positive patients.


METHODS
The population study encompassed Mexico City dentists who were selected according to a geographic criterion. A questionnaire was delivered personally to each participant, and multiple logistic regression was used for data analysis.


RESULTS
A total of 598 dentists participated in the study. The response rate was 99.3% (598/602). Seventy-four percent (444) of the dentists said they would be willing to treat AIDS/HIV-positive patients. Among the variables associated with the prediction of willingness to treat these patients were glove-wearing patterns (odds ratio, 2.39; confidence interval, 1.4-4.2), types of available sterilization equipment (odds ratio = 2.42; confidence interval, 1.4-4.1), fear of losing non-AIDS/HIV-positive patients (odds ratio = 4.28; confidence interval, 2.3-8.4), and risk perception of HIV transmission (odds ratio = 2.66; confidence interval, 1.5-4.9). An interaction was found between perception of risk of HIV transmission and increase in costs (odds ratio = 3.35; confidence interval, 1.3-8.9).


CONCLUSIONS
Approximately 26% of the Mexico City dentists included in the study were not willing to treat AIDS/HIV-positive patients. Educational programs aimed at misperceptions appear to be warranted.
Irigoyen
M
M
Health Care Department, Autonomous Metropolitan University-Xochimilco, Mexico City, Mexico.
Zepeda
M
M
López-Cámara
V
V
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill; D004497:Education, Dental; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D005932:Gloves, Surgical; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010361:Patients; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013242:Sterilization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires