Marika Kochlamazashvili1, George Kamkamidze2, Louise-Anne McNutt3, Jack DeHovitz4, Olga Chubinishvili5, Maia Butsashvili6. 1. Health Research Union, Tbilisi, Georgia. marika.kochlamazashvili@gmail.com. 2. Health Research Union, Tbilisi, Georgia. georgekamkamidze@gmail.com. 3. State University of New York; Rensselaer, NY, United States. lamcnutt@gmail.com. 4. SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, United States. Jack.DeHovitz@downstate.edu. 5. Health Research Union, Tbilisi, Georgia. ochubini@hotmail.com. 6. Health Research Union, Tbilisi, Georgia. maiabutsashvili@gmail.com.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: In Georgia limited data exists about awareness of blood borne-diseases among dental health care workers (DHCW). METHODOLOGY: To assess DHCW knowledge, attitudes and practices related to infection control practice guidelines designed to limit transmission of blood-borne diseases, a cross-sectional study was conducted. All respondents were asked to voluntarily complete a self-administered questionnaire. Doctors of Dental Medicine, nurses, and dental residents were recruited from 13 private and governmental dental units in three large Georgian cities: Tbilisi (the capital city), Batumi (Western Georgia) and Rustavi (Eastern Georgia). RESULTS: Of 244 DHCWs recruited, 196 (80%) agreed to participate. Nearly 42% DHCWs did not know the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Georgia. Knowledge about risk factors for transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), HCV and HBV was low; correct response proportions among all DHCWs were 45.3%, 37.9% and 34.2% for these pathogens, respectively. The 59.7% of DHCWs were uninformed about post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV. Only 37.3% reported being well informed on infection control guidelines. Nearly all (95.6%) DHCWs expressed interest in receiving additional education on occupational transmission of blood-borne pathogens. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the study suggests DHCWs are aware they have insufficient knowledge of universal precautions. There is a need for developing a continuous education program that is accessible to practicing DHCWs. Copyright (c) 2018 Marika Kochlamazashvili, George Kamkamidze, Louise-Anne McNutt, Jack DeHovitz, Olga Chubinishvili, Maia Butsashvili.
INTRODUCTION: In Georgia limited data exists about awareness of blood borne-diseases among dental health care workers (DHCW). METHODOLOGY: To assess DHCW knowledge, attitudes and practices related to infection control practice guidelines designed to limit transmission of blood-borne diseases, a cross-sectional study was conducted. All respondents were asked to voluntarily complete a self-administered questionnaire. Doctors of Dental Medicine, nurses, and dental residents were recruited from 13 private and governmental dental units in three large Georgian cities: Tbilisi (the capital city), Batumi (Western Georgia) and Rustavi (Eastern Georgia). RESULTS: Of 244 DHCWs recruited, 196 (80%) agreed to participate. Nearly 42% DHCWs did not know the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Georgia. Knowledge about risk factors for transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), HCV and HBV was low; correct response proportions among all DHCWs were 45.3%, 37.9% and 34.2% for these pathogens, respectively. The 59.7% of DHCWs were uninformed about post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV. Only 37.3% reported being well informed on infection control guidelines. Nearly all (95.6%) DHCWs expressed interest in receiving additional education on occupational transmission of blood-borne pathogens. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the study suggests DHCWs are aware they have insufficient knowledge of universal precautions. There is a need for developing a continuous education program that is accessible to practicing DHCWs. Copyright (c) 2018 Marika Kochlamazashvili, George Kamkamidze, Louise-Anne McNutt, Jack DeHovitz, Olga Chubinishvili, Maia Butsashvili.
Entities:
Keywords:
Dental Health Care Worker; blood borne infections; knowledge and attitudes
Authors: Mir F A Quadri; Mohammed A Jafer; Ahmed Shaher Alqahtani; Somayah A B Al Mutahar; Nouf I Odabi; Amal A Daghriri; Santosh K Tadakamadla Journal: J Infect Public Health Date: 2020-05-29 Impact factor: 3.718