       Document 0712
 DOCN  M9620712
 TI    Dental care of infectious patients in Denmark, 1986-1993: theoretical
       considerations and empirical findings.
 DT    9602
 AU    Scheutz F; Langebaek J; Department of Oral Epidemiology and Public
       Health, Royal Dental; College, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aarhus
       University, Denmark.
 SO    Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 1995 Aug;23(4):226-31. Unique Identifier
       : AIDSLINE MED/96037073
 AB    Changes in infection control and behavior and attitudes towards
       HIV-infected patients from 1986 to 1992/93 were studied among a random
       sample of 335 Danish dentists; previous studies among random samples of
       Danish dentists served as references. 249 (74.3%) returned a mailed
       questionnaire together with a time, steam, temperature (TST) control
       indicator strip processed in their steam autoclaves, 3.4% of the
       autoclaves had not sterilized properly, which was an insignificant
       decrease compared to 1986. Overall, infection control had improved since
       1986. In 1992/93 17.3% of dentists surveyed reported use of gloves
       always: in 1986 0.8% did so. Many (60.2%) reported at least one
       needlestick or cut accident within the last year. The number of dentists
       who were willing to treat HIV-infected patients and the number of
       clinics that found they could treat infectious patients safely had
       increased from 56.1% to 78.7% and from 43.0% to 66.8%, respectively.
       Other attitudinal dimensions, for example views on secrecy of HIV test
       results and HIV screening policy, had not changed. A conceptual model
       based on the theory of reasoned action formed the framework for multiple
       logistic regression analysis with two different outcomes: Willingness to
       treat HIV-infected individuals and Treatment of HIV-infected patients.
       In particular, expected staff problems turned out to have a high
       explanatory value (odds ratio = 18.2) if HIV-infected patients were
       received. In both models Certainty about hygienic precautions had some
       explanatory value. The findings may give some clues about how to plan
       and implement future continuing education on infection control and
       attitudinal and behavioral aspects of caring for infectious patients.
 DE    Adult  Attitude of Health Personnel  AIDS Serodiagnosis  Confidentiality
       Denmark/EPIDEMIOLOGY  *Dental Care for Chronically Ill  Dentist-Patient
       Relations  Female  Gloves, Surgical  Health Planning  Health Policy
       Hepatitis B/PREVENTION & CONTROL  Human  *HIV Infections/PREVENTION &
       CONTROL  Infection Control/STATISTICS & NUMER DATA  Logistic Models
       Male  Middle Age  Needlestick Injuries/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Occupational
       Diseases/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Steam  Sterilization/INSTRUMENTATION/METHODS
       Support, Non-U.S. Gov't  Temperature  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

