Prevalence of ocular injury and the use of protective eye wear among the dental personnel in a teaching hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of ocular injury and the frequency of use of protective eye wear among the dental personnel of Lagos University teaching hospital.


METHODS
A structured questionnaire was distributed to dental personnel of Lagos University Teaching Hospital working in the dental clinic and laboratory within a period of one month (November 2006).


RESULTS
Ninety questionnaires out of 105 questionnaires were returned filled giving a response rate of 90.5%. 36.7% of the dental personnel are regular wearers of protective eye wear. 28.9% of males and 42.3% of females are regular wearers. Among the dental personnel the dental therapists showed the highest frequency of regular eye protection (100%) while the technologists showed the lowest frequency of regular eye protection (20%). There was significant difference in the prevalence of ocular injury among the dental personnel with the technologist having the highest prevalence of 40% and the dental students having the lowest prevalence of 15.4% (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The frequency of using protective eye wear among the dental personnel of Lagos University Teaching hospital was low. The use of protective eye wear should be emphasized for all dental personnel and patients to prevent the occurrence of ocular injuries in the clinic and laboratory.
Ajayi
Y O
YO
Department of Restorative Dentistry, College of Medicine University of Lagos, Lagos State.
Ajayi
E O
EO
D003798:Dental Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005135:Eye Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires