ABSTRACT
To evaluate the oral health-related knowledge and practices of trainee Community Health Officers. A cross-sectional descriptive study conducted using total population purposive sampling method with a self-administered questionnaire on 70 community health officer's trainees at the centre for training community health officers. Sixty-two trainees (response rate of 88.6%) participated made up of year one (45.2%) and year two 54.8%. %). Mean age of 33.5 years (SD=8.65). By gender, females 90.3% were more than males 9.7% while privately sponsored (53.2%) were more than government-sponsored 38.7% A majority had knowledge of Caries (98.4%), Periodontal disease (93.5%) and Oral cancer (96.8%). Year two trainees had more knowledge about periodontal diseases 54.8% compared to year one 38.5% (p<0.05). Most respondents (91.1%) reported dental visit to be important with 87.1% of the opinion that the visit should not be for pain only; 38.7% felt that dental treatment was expensive. More privately sponsored (51.5%) compared to government-sponsored (20.8%) felt that dental treatment was expensive (p<0.05). only 11.3% had visited the dentist in the past six months with dental experience gum bleeding (8.1%), dental caries (8.1%), and tooth sensitivity (21%). A majority (85.5%) rated their oral health to be good. The study showed that community health officer trainees have a good knowledge of oral diseases with the year two trainees demonstrating a better knowledge of caries, periodontal disease and oral cancer and self-rated oral health. Their role in oral health promotion programs at the Primary Health Care level should be encouraged to reduce the burden of oral health diseases in the community.
Subject(s)
Humans , Residence Characteristics , Delivery of Health Care , Oral Health , Knowledge , Family PracticeABSTRACT
To evaluate the oral health-related knowledge and practices of trainee Community Health Officers. A cross-sectional descriptive study conducted using total population purposive sampling method with a self-administered questionnaire on 70 community health officer's trainees at the centre for training community health officers. Sixty-two trainees (response rate of 88.6%) participated made up of year one (45.2%) and year two 54.8%. %). Mean age of 33.5 years (SD=8.65). By gender, females 90.3% were more than males 9.7% while privately sponsored (53.2%) were more than government-sponsored 38.7% A majority had knowledge of Caries (98.4%), Periodontal disease (93.5%) and Oral cancer (96.8%). Year two trainees had more knowledge about periodontal diseases 54.8% compared to year one 38.5% (p<0.05). Most respondents (91.1%) reported dental visit to be important with 87.1% of the opinion that the visit should not be for pain only; 38.7% felt that dental treatment was expensive. More privately sponsored (51.5%) compared to government-sponsored (20.8%) felt that dental treatment was expensive (p<0.05). only 11.3% had visited the dentist in the past six months with dental experience gum bleeding (8.1%), dental caries (8.1%), and tooth sensitivity (21%). A majority (85.5%) rated their oral health to be good. The study showed that community health officer trainees have a good knowledge of oral diseases with the year two trainees demonstrating a better knowledge of caries, periodontal disease and oral cancer and self-rated oral health. Their role in oral health promotion programs at the Primary Health Care level should be encouraged to reduce the burden of oral health diseases in the community.
Subject(s)
Humans , Residence Characteristics , Health Services Accessibility , Oral Health , Chief Executive Officers, Hospital , Practice Guidelines as Topic , KnowledgeABSTRACT
Background: The incidence of human immunodeficiency virus infection in Nigeria remains worrisome. Dentists are increasingly becoming at risk of occupational exposure to the virus. Post-exposure prophylaxis is known to reduce the risk of sero-conversion when appropriately administered. This study assessed the awareness and attitude of Nigerian Dentists towards post-exposure prophylaxis. Methods: A total of 177 Nigerian Dentists from the geopolitical regions of Nigeria were surveyed in 2003 by use of a self-administered questionnaire in a cross sectional; purposive; pilot study and assessed for awareness and attitude to HIV post-exposure prophylaxis. Results: The mean age of respondents was 33.2 years (S.D = 7.66). Sixty-one percent were males while 39were females. Seventy five percent are General Dental Practitioners and 25Specialists. Similarly; 80.8are government employed and 19.2in private practice. About 58.8of the total respondents reported being aware of occupational post exposure prophylaxis; 33.3were not aware while 7.9were unsure. About 84.7indicated a willingness to accept; 5.1were not willing to accept and 10.2were unsure of whether to accept or reject the post-exposure prophylaxis regime. By geopolitical zone; Dental Surgeons from the South West (63.5) were more aware of PEP than other zones while Dentists from the North Central and North West (88) were most willing to accept post-exposure prophylaxis. Only 38.9had attended continuing medical education on human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency disease in the preceeding two years. Conclusion: This study indicates that slightly over half the population of Nigeria Dentists is aware of and have good attitude to occupational human immunodeficiency virus post-exposure prophylaxis treatment. Continuing medical education programmes on human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency disease is recommended