Factors associated with dentists' willingness to treat HIV/AIDS patients in the National Health System in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil

A cross-sectional study was conducted among dentists in the Unified National Health System (SUS) in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, to identify factors associated with their willingness to treat HIV/AIDS patients. Questionnaires were distributed at the participant's workplace. Some 140 out of 345 selected dentists (41.0%) participated. Prevalence of willingness to treat was 55.0%. Results adjusted by multiple logistic regression showed that willingness to treat was significantly associated with a realistic perception of occupational risk (OR = 4.8; 95%CI: 1.32-18.04), knowledge of the exposure protocol (OR = 4.5; 95%CI: 1.61-13.07), positive attitudes towards dealing with the epidemic (OR = 3.2; 95%CI: 1.37-7.45), previous professional experience with HIV/AIDS patients (OR = 3.0; 95%CI: 1.30-7.19), and opposition to compulsory testing of patients for HIV (OR = 2.3; 95%CI: 0.96-5.40). Dentists with prior accidental exposure to potentially contaminated material showed less willingness to treat (OR = 0.4; 95%CI: 0.15-0.85). Fear of contamination was the main source of anxiety for health workers dealing with HIV/ AIDS patients.

Dental Care; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Occupational Risk