Attitudes of Nigerian dentists towards hepatitis B vaccination and use of barrier techniques.
OBJECTIVE
Hepatitis B virus constitutes a significant threat to the health of the dental professional. Infection with hepatitis B virus can however be prevented through hepatitis B vaccination and use of barrier techniques. This study therefore assesses the attitudes of Nigerian dentists towards hepatitis B vaccination and use of barrier techniques.


METHODS
A questionnaire survey of 160 dental practitioners in Lagos, Ibadan, Ife and Benin.


RESULTS
48.1% had complete vaccination, 3.1% incomplete vaccination and 48.8% no vaccination. 97.5% reported routine use of gloves and 70.6% reported routine use of masks. 61.3% and 23.1% reported routine use of protective gowns and eyewear respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
There is need to improve the rate of hepatitis B vaccination among Nigerian dentists and to encourage consistent use of barrier techniques.
Utomi
I L
IL
Department of Child Dental Health, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria. ifeomautomi@yahoo.com
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology*; D017575:Gloves, Protective / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016635:Universal Precautions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines