title: Prevalence of undiagnosed HIV infection among dental patients in a Nigerian secondary healthcare facility.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of undiagnosed HIV infection among patients attending the Dental Clinic of General Hospital Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a prospective study of 1080 dental patients of General Hospital Minna.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of the 1080 patients counseled, only 200 gave consent to participate in the study. Of the 200 participants, 8 tested positive for HIV, giving a prevalence of 4.0%. Females and participants in the sixth and fifth decades of life were found to have higher prevalence of undiagnosed HIV. Corpers and traders had higher prevalence of undiagnosed HIV. Participants with periodontal complaints (bleeding gums and shaking teeth) also had higher prevalence of undiagnosed HIV. The proportion of participants that reported having knowledge about the actual existence, risk factors, and prevention of HIV/AIDS was high. The proportion of participants who expressed willingness to receive more information on HIV-related issues was high.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  One out of 25 patients attending this secondary healthcare setting for dental services had undiagnosed HIV infection. This highlights the need for the establishment of voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) unit in the dental clinics and also re-emphasizes the strict compliance of standard precaution in dental practices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: O G
authors.initials: OG
authors.lastname: Ogbebor
authors.affiliation: Dental Department, New Day Specialist Hospital, Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Obisesan
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Surgery, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: I U
authors.initials: IU
authors.lastname: Madukwe
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Clement C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Azodo
keywords: Dental; HIV; voluntary counseling and testing