PMID: 18181438Jan 10, 2008Paper

Attitude/practices of oral healthcare provider to management of HIV/AIDS patients in the Pacific

Pacific Health Dialog
Afolabi Oreoluwa ComfortLeenu Maimanuku

Abstract

This paper expands a quantitative study which measured dentists attitudes, practices, knowledge, education, policies towards HIV positive patients in the Pacific region in order to identify potential barriers to the provision of adequate dental treatment. 300 questionnaires were sent out to all the 14 countries in the region. However, only the following six countries responded Fiji, Solomons, Vanuatu, Samoa, FSM, and Cook Islands of which 91.6% worked for the government sector, 4.2% respondents for academic and 4.2% were private oral health care providers (OHCP). These were 32.6% of dentists and 67.4% Paradentals. Results of the research showed that the major reasons for the unwillingness among oral health care providers mainly described fear of HIV transmission in dental clinics, inadequate infection control procedures in the clinics to prevent cross transmission or lacked knowledge about HIV patient management in dental clinics. There is a need for continuing education on management of HIV/AIDS positive dental patients covering such areas as management, infection control, policies, education and ethical issues concerning HIV positive patients for oral health care providers in the South Pacific region. Limitations of study: Si...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.