Overall, the students' responses indicated that over the two years of the study they became more restrictive in their attitudes toward HIV-positive patients, felt less personal obligation toward caring for these patients, and were less likely to use appropriate infection-control methods to ensure their own safety.

We examined predictors of dental student's belief that they should be allowed to refuse treatment to HIV‐infected persons. We surveyed 181 first; second‐, and fourth‐year dental students at a large urban university using a 44‐item, self‐administered anonymous questionnaire and a measure of dispositional optimism. Several composite measures were created and their relationship to belief in the right to refuse treatment was assessed. Regression techniques were used to describe the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. Results indicated that non‐professional attitudes, low optimism scores, low levels of comfort with homosexuality, and gender were the best predictors of belief in the right to refuse treatment to HIV‐infected patients. Neither knowledge of HIV, year in dental school, or fear of contagion reliably predicted belief in the right to refuse treatment.

Background To examine the association between oral health markers and disability 4 years later in two population-based studies of older people in the UK and USA. Methods Analyses were conducted in the British Regional Heart Study (BRHS) comprising older men (n = 2147) and the Health, Aging and Body Composition (HABC) Study comprising American older men and women (n = 3075). Data from a 4-year follow up period were used. Oral health measures included tooth loss, periodontal disease, dry mouth, and self-rated oral health. Mobility limitations and Activities of Daily Living (ADL) were markers of disability. Logistic regression was performed and analyses were adjusted for confounders (age, socioeconomic position, lifestyle factors, and chronic diseases). Results Over a 4-year follow-up, 15% of subjects in the BRHS and 19% in the HABC Study developed mobility limitations. In both studies, 12% of participants developed ADL problems. In the BRHS, tooth loss (complete and partial), periodontal disease, dry mouth and accumulation of oral health problems were associated with an increased risk of developing mobility limitations after adjustment for confounders (partial tooth loss, OR = 1.86, 95% CI 1.18-2.94, ≥3 dry mouth symptoms, OR = 1.97, 95%CI 1.25-3.09). Similar results were observed for the risk of developing ADL problems. In the HABC Study, complete tooth loss and accumulation of oral health problems were associated with greater risk of incident mobility limitations (OR = 1.77, 95%CI 1.13-2.76; OR = 1.18, 95% CI 1.02-1.37, respectively). Moreover, self-rated oral health was associated with increased risk of ADL problems, after adjustment for confounders. Conclusions Poor oral health was associated with increased risk of developing disability in community-dwelling older people. Screening tools of oral health may be helpful in identifying oral health problems, improving oral health status and promoting health and good quality of life. Key messages Poor oral health is associated with a higher risk of developing disability in later life. This highlights the importance of oral health on maintaining independence in older people.

Results In all the three countries, this study finds health expenditure to be the predominant out of pocket cost incurred by women experiencing violence. Women who experience violence also have statistically significant higher depression, disability and acute illness scores, and thus indicate the broader health impacts of VAWG. These health impacts affect the overall productivity of women experiencing violence. Approximately 80 million productivity work days in Pakistan, 65 million productivity work days in Ghana, and 8.5 million productivity work days in scaled population of South Sudan are lost due to women experiencing any violence. The productivity loss indicates the significant impact VAWG has on the overall economy. ConclusionThe results of this study on the socioeconomic cost of VAWG highlight the need for crucial action by a wide range of actors, from local authorities and community leaders to national government. Moreover, the results suggest the potential burden that VAWG places on the health sector in the countries studied. The health and economic impacts outlined in this study together build a strong economic case for investment by government and donors in the prevention of VAWG.