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. 2024 Feb 6;16(2):e53719.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.53719. eCollection 2024 Feb.

Evaluation of Knowledge and Attitude of Dental Hygienists and Dental Assistants Regarding People Living with HIV/AIDS and HIV-Associated Oral and Periodontal Lesions in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Shatha Bamashmous  1 , Fatimah Almalki  2 , Wehad Alrefaei  2 , Eatizaz Alsamadani  2 , Mohamed Fattouh  3   4 , Laila M Kenawi  5   6 , Eman Elfirt  1   7
Affiliations

Evaluation of Knowledge and Attitude of Dental Hygienists and Dental Assistants Regarding People Living with HIV/AIDS and HIV-Associated Oral and Periodontal Lesions in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Shatha Bamashmous et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Background: Oral manifestations serve as important indicators of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and dental healthcare practitioners play a pivotal role in preventing and managing HIV. This study aims to assess and compare the knowledge and attitude of dental assistants and dental hygienists concerning people with HIV/acquired Immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients in Jeddah province of Saudi Arabia.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional survey enrolled 160 dental hygienists and assistants practicing in Jeddah. Data was collected using a pretested, self-administered questionnaire comprising 50 questions that investigated knowledge about HIV/AIDS, awareness of HIV-associated oral and periodontal lesions, understanding of HIV transmission routes, and attitudes toward people with AIDS.

Results: In the study, 120 (75.0%) participants correctly recognized that individuals with HIV may appear healthy, while 123 (76.9%) participants admitted that HIV carriers have lower resistance to other diseases. Additionally, 126 (78.8%) participants confirmed an association between the virus and oral lesions, and 137 (85.6%) participants were aware of HIV transmission through blood. Moreover, 150 (93.7%) participants expressed their willingness to support, treat, and assist patients with AIDS, while only 10 (6.3%) participants expressed unwillingness. Notably, no statistically significant differences were found between dental assistants and hygienists in their knowledge and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS and people with AIDS.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that dental hygienists and assistants possess good general knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS and are well-informed about the disease's transmission routes. Moreover, a significant majority endorses the importance of treating and supporting AIDS patients.

Keywords: aids; attitude; dental assistants; dental hygienists; hiv; knowledge.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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