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  • Title: Knowledge of AIDS and HIV infection displayed by Tanzanian operating dental staff in 1988 and 1989: a follow-up study.
    Author: Tuominen R, Ranta K, Mugonzibwa E.
    Journal: Community Dent Health; 1992 Mar; 9(1):63-8. PubMed ID: 1617488.
    Abstract:
    In many urban areas of Central and Eastern Africa 20-30 per cent of the sexually active population has been infected with HIV. It can be assumed that every member of the operating dental staff in Tanzania frequently treats HIV-positive patients. The knowledge of AIDS and HIV infection was investigated by Tanzanian dental teams in 1988 and 1989. In both years almost one quarter of the dental officers and half the other operating team members chose incorrect information about the methods of transmission of HIV. Several respondents named health care workers as belonging to a high risk group. Fever and loss of weight were known to be early symptoms of AIDS. In 1989, when asked to identify oral manifestations of HIV, one quarter of all the dental staff could not mention any of them. The findings of the study emphasise the need for urgent further education of dental teams in Tanzania. Dental officers, assistant dental officers, and dental assistants attending the Tanzanian Dental Association Annual meetings in 1988 and 1989 in Dar es Salaam were administered pre tested questionnaires on transmission, early symptoms, high-risk groups, and oral signs of HIV infection. 44 completed the confidential questionnaires in 1988 and 45 did so in 1989. The clinical tasks of each group are similar, but their educational requirements vary. While all respondents were aware of at least 1 major means of transmission, 23% and 26% in 1988 and 1989 marked incorrect answers on transmission, most often by articles such as toothbrushes. The total score of correct responses was around 27 both years, and did not differ between groups. For the question on high-risk groups, there were 7 multiple choices that were all correct except female homosexuals. Respondents more frequently checked homosexual men, people with multiple sex partners, and prostitutes, with varying scores for the other high-risk groups as well as lesbians. A higher percentage of dental officers said they had more than 1 sex partner than did junior staff. Similarly, the question on early symptoms of AIDS was a multiple check-off, and respondents also chose symptoms with varying frequencies in both years. Most commonly checked symptoms were weight loss, diarrhea, and weakness. The question on oral signs in 1989 was an open fill-in type question. Dental officers were able to write 1.9 answers on average, staff 2.2, most often candida infections, ulcers and gingivitis. The least often cited signs were angular cheilitis, Kaposi's sarcoma, and leukoplakia. Many could not remember any oral signs. Since oral manifestations of AIDS appear early, and dental practitioners in Tanzania have no gloves or any means of sterilizing instruments except boiling, it is imperative that the knowledge base of dental staff be improved.
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