HIV/AIDS control practices by dentists of Balochistan - Pakistan

ABSTRACT

A cross-sectional survey was carried out in Balochistan province of Pakistan to assess the knowledge, perception and infection control practices towards HIV/AIDS among the dentists. The study period was two months and was conducted in Quetta district. Data were collected by mailing questionnaire to 115 dentists, out of which 86 responded [response rate 74.8%].Majority of dentists [63.3%] had overall poor infection control practices. The predictors of infection control practices were found to be sex, marital status and educational attainment. There was a significant association between knowledge, perception and age of the respondents with Spearman's correlation coefficient [P <0.0001], however age was not associated with practice. Infection control practices were found to be strongly associated with overall knowledge and perception of the dentists on HIV/AIDS. The female dentists were found to have increased knowledge on HIV/AIDS as compared to their male counterparts. Regarding the intentions to provide dental treatment to the PLWHAs, less than 25% of the dentists expressed their willingness to provide treatment to HIV infected patients. There is an urgent need to conduct trainings and workshops for the dentists, and the government should provide adequate infection control equipment to government hospitals in Balochistan