title: Public perception of cross-infection control in dentistry in Nigeria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the perception of patients on the use of gloves and facemasks in dental practice, methods of sterilisation and the risk of cross-infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaire survey of patients attending two teaching hospitals and a private dental clinic in Lagos, Nigeria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  228 respondents returned the questionnaires. Nearly all (98.6%) regarded the use of gloves as necessary and 189 (82.9%) did not mind the use of gloves, only 129 (56.6%) felt the facemask was necessary although 132 (57.9%) did not mind its use. More than half of the respondents (54%) felt they could contract an infection in the dental clinic and 43% of them identified HIV as a risk. This response was significantly affected by educational status (p<0.05). 140 patients (61.4%) would not attend a clinic if they knew that HIV patients were treated there. Females were significantly more unwilling to attend (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While this survey shows a high level of acceptance of the use of gloves, there is a glaring lack of knowledge and acceptance of the use of the facemask indicating a need for more effective public enlightenment on the use of barrier methods. It also reveals a great deal of fear for HIV among Nigerians.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry, School of Dental Sciences, College of Medicine, Lagos, Nigeria. oysofola@yahoo.com
authors.forename: O O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Sofola
authors.forename: O G
authors.initials: OG
authors.lastname: Uti
authors.forename: O O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Onigbinde
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D019552:Infection Control, Dental; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D011481:Protective Clothing; D012737:Sex Factors; D013242:Sterilization / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires