ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to assess knowledge, practices and attitudes towards HIV positive and AIDS patients amongst 71 dental auxiliaries using on a self administered questionnaire. 65 (91.5%) returned the questionnaire. In general, respondents' knowledge was fair. 87.7% felt that dentistry as practised in Kenya today carries a high risk of transmission of HIV primarily because of improper sterilization of instruments. 72.3% had changed their sex habits since they became aware of the dangers posed by indiscriminate sex. Over 67% used gloves and masks routinely when assisting in the management of AIDS patients. Over 33% did not use protective eye wear and protective covers on operatories routinely because they were not provided by the employer. 27.7% felt that AIDS and HIV positive health workers should stop treating patients. 64.6% advocated that the cost of buying materials and equipment to prevent cross infection be met by the patient and the employer or dentist. 23.1% supported the idea that HIV positive and AIDS patients be isolated from uninfected individuals. In conclusion, a substantial number of dental auxiliaries were wanting in their knowledge, practices and attitudes towards HIV positive/AIDS patients.
Subject(s)
Attitude of Health Personnel , Dental Auxiliaries/education , Dental Auxiliaries/psychology , HIV Infections , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional , Infectious Disease Transmission, Professional-to-Patient , Adult , Female , HIV Infections/epidemiology , HIV Infections/therapy , HIV Infections/transmission , Humans , Infection Control/economics , Infection Control/methods , Kenya/epidemiology , Male , Middle Aged , Sexual BehaviorABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of a chewing stick and a tooth brush in plaque control. The study composed of two groups of 11 and 8 children aged 13 to 16 years who were randomly selected from a peri-urban school near Nairobi. Results showed that, except for the participants with moderate amounts of plaque, the net changes in the mean number of surfaces with a given plaque score were more when the participants were using a toothbrush than when they were using a chewing stick. For the group of participants who started using a chewing stick before they changed to the toothbrush, there were no significant net changes in the mean number of surfaces with a given plaque score except for those surfaces which had mild plaque deposits. It is concluded that for the patients with severe plaque deposits, the toothbrush is more efficacious than the chewing stick in plaque control. However, for those patients with moderate plaque deposits, the chewing stick is as efficacious as the toothbrush in plaque control.
