Nigerian Dental Therapy Students’ Knowledge, Attitude, and Willingness to Care for Patients with HIV

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess Nigerian dental therapy students' knowledge, attitudes, and willingness to care for patients with HIV. A twenty-six-item questionnaire was used to conduct a cross-sectional study of the dental therapy students of Federal School of Dental Therapy and Technology, Enugu State, Nigeria. The level of knowledge of HIV transmission and prevention among the respondents was high. However, misconceptions about the transmission of HIV through blood donation, mosquito bite, and sharing cups and plates were noted. Erroneous descriptions of HIV as harmless, self-limiting, antibiotic sensitive infection, punishment virus, and contagious infection were also reported. More than half (56.2 percent) and 25.2 percent of the respondents, respectively, expressed feelings of empathy and sympathy towards individuals with HIV. About three-quarters (74.3 percent) expressed willingness to treat patients with HIV, and 87.6 percent expressed conidence in their ability to prevent occupational HIV acquisition. This expressed conidence was signiicantly associated with their willingness to treat patients with HIV. More than half (55.7 percent) of the respondents reported they can adequately deliver HIV-related information to patients. A total of 86.2 percent said there is a need for training dental therapists in the clinical care of patients with HIV, and 89.0 percent said that dental therapists can play a signiicant role in the dissemination of HIV-related information. The vast majority (90.0 percent) expressed willingness to disseminate HIV-related information, and the majority (70.5 percent) considered the dental therapist the most suitable dental professional to give HIV-related information to patients.Dr. Azodo is Lecturer,

Perception of Special Needs Dentistry education and practice amongst Australian dental auxiliary students

“…Students’ support for enhanced education and practice in SND indicated positive implications for empowering the roles of DH/DT/OHT in collaborative oral health management of this group of patients. In other countries, support for DH/DT/OHT roles in managing patients with special needs has also been demonstrated, whilst there is an increased demand for more clinical exposure in an environment that promotes interprofessional practice . Active participation of DH/DT/OHT in collaborative care of patients with special needs has resulted in an improvement of patients’ oral health statuses and their access to oral healthcare services .…”

Impact of Pedagogical Method on Brazilian Dental Students’ Waste Management Practice

“…The proposed solution for HCW management is to educate and train health professionals to separate waste appropriately 11 since it is the professionals’ responsibility to ensure the health of the population 12 – 14 . By following the HCW management guidelines, the health professional can prevent human injury as well as damage to the environment 15 .…”

Adherence to confidentiality principles from the viewpoint of Iranian dental students: A multicenter study

“…In a study by Azodo et al ,. over 86% of Nigerian dental students emphasised the necessity of educating dentists on respecting the dignity of patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).…”