Assessment of the compliance of Nigerian dentists with infection control: a preliminary study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the compliance of a group of Nigerian dentists with standard infection control practices.


METHODS
A confidential self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted among dentists engaged in active clinical practices in public hospitals in Lagos, Nigeria (n = 185).


RESULTS
One hundred forty-six questionnaires were returned (response rate, 78.9%). Most (70.6%) of the dentists always wore gloves when treating patients, whereas 29.4% sometimes did. Regarding facemasks, 45.9% always wore them, 52.7% sometimes wore them, and 1.4% never wore them. Protective eye wear was always worn by 4.8% of the dentists, sometimes worn by 52.7%, and never worn by 42.5%. Approximately half (50.7%) of the respondents had received hepatitis B vaccination. Sterilization was performed using a combination of methods, including autoclaving (84.1%), boiling (19.3%), dry heat (17.5%), and chemicals (29.7%). Nonavailability of materials was the major reason for noncompliance with infection control practices.


CONCLUSIONS
Nigerian dentists need continuous education regarding infection control. Also, Nigerian hospitals urgently need adequate funding for up-to-date and functional equipment and materials.
Department of Preventive Dentistry, School of Dental Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria.
Oyinkansola Olulola
OO
Sofola
Kofo Olaide
KO
Savage
D003796:Dental Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003815:Dentists / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005135:Eye Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017575:Gloves, Protective / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D006779:Hospitals, Public / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000592:standards*; D008397:Masks / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009549:Nigeria; D013242:Sterilization; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines