Pattern of retroviral screening among dental surgeons in Nigeria

Abstract

To assess the prevalence, frequency and reasons for retroviral screening among Nigerian dental surgeons. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in southern and northern, Nigeria. The study population was 300 actively practicing dental surgeons recruited using multistage sampling technique. The data collection tool utilized was a self-administered questionnaire. Results: There were more males (67.7%) than females (32.3%) giving a male: female ratio of 2.1:1, with a mean age of 34.1 ± 6.5 years. Majority (79.0%) of the respondents had undergone retroviral screening. Out of which 42.9% and 35.5% have done the testing once and twice respectively.  Routine medical examination and pre-employment screening were the major reasons for last retroviral screening among the respondents. More than half (59.9%) of the respondents supported pre-employment retroviral screening of dental surgeons while only 41.6% supported routine retroviral screening for all dental patients. Prevention of cross infection and medico-legal reasons were the major reasons for supporting routine retroviral screening for all dental patients. Conclusion: Data from this study revealed that a significant proportion of active practicing Nigerian dental surgeons have undergone retroviral screening. This qualifies them as role models in terms of retroviral testing. To further increase the acceptance and practice of retroviral screening among dental surgeons, necessary information on barriers among unscreened group would be an obvious necessity, so such a survey is therefore advocated.