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Assessment of the Compliance of Nigerian Dentists With Infection Control: A Preliminary Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Oyinkansola Olulola Sofola  and
Kofo Olaide Savage
Oyinkansola Olulola Sofola*
Affiliation:
Department of Preventive Dentistry, School of Dental Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria
Kofo Olaide Savage
Affiliation:
Department of Preventive Dentistry, School of Dental Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria
*
Department of Preventive Dentistry, School of Dental Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, Lagos, Nigeria
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Abstract

Objective:

To assess the compliance of a group of Nigerian dentists with standard infection control practices.

Method:

A confidential self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted among dentists engaged in active clinical practices in public hospitals in Lagos, Nigeria (n = 185).

Results:

One hundred forty-six questionnaires were returned (response rate, 78.9%). Most (70.6%) of the dentists always wore gloves when treating patients, whereas 29.4% sometimes did. Regarding facemasks, 45.9% always wore them, 52.7% sometimes wore them, and 1.4% never wore them. Protective eye wear was always worn by 4.8% of the dentists, sometimes worn by 52.7%, and never worn by 42.5%. Approximately half (50.7%) of the respondents had received hepatitis B vaccination. Sterilization was performed using a combination of methods, including auto-claving (84.1%), boiling (19.3%), dry heat (17.5%), and chemicals (29.7%). Nonavailability of materials was the major reason for noncompliance with infection control practices.

Conclusions:

Nigerian dentists need continuous education regarding infection control. Also, Nigerian hospitals urgently need adequate funding for up-to-date and functional equipment and materials.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology , Volume 24 , Issue 10 , October 2003 , pp. 737 - 740
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 2003

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