Exploring educational and promotional opportunities for implementing oral rapid human immunodeficiency virus testing among dentists in India.

Abstract

CONTEXT:Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a public health problem in India. Dentist plays an important role in diagnosing since oral lesions are common in HIV-positive patients and have an ethical responsibility to provide treatment to them.AIMS:This study aims to explore educational and promotional opportunities for implementing oral rapid HIV testing (ORHT) among dentists in Bengaluru, India.SETTINGS AND DESIGN:A cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 dentists. Dentists were included from private practice, dental practice in general hospital, and dental teaching/hospitals.SUBJECTS AND METHODS:A 43-item questionnaire was used to assess demographics, educational knowledge on HIV and ORHT, attitude toward HIV patients, and willingness to promote ORHT and perceived barriers of performing ORHT.STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED:The data were evaluated using SPSS 22. Student's t-test, Chi-square, Pearson correlation, and binary logistics were used keeping P value at 5%.RESULTS:Mean age of the participants was 38.97 ± 7.69 years with equal distribution of gender and practice. Majority were postgraduates (63.0%) and having general practice (56.6%). Although two-thirds of the participants belong to high score category, the mean knowledge level is below 50%. Mean score of knowledge was 10.70 ± 2.5. One hundred and thirty (43.3%) dentists were aware of ORHT, and 228 (76%) thought that ORHT was needed in the dental clinic. Dentist having specialty practice felt more accepting of ORHT (odds ratio = 2.455, 95% confidence interval 1.186–5.463). The lack of knowledge and training was the main barrier (39%) to conduct ORHT.CONCLUSIONS:The level of knowledge of the dentist about HIV/AIDS was acceptable. Majority of the dentist thought that ORHT is needed in a dental clinic. Overall, there was positive attitude toward HIV patients and ORHT.