Akbulut Ilkay, Varol Zeynep Sedef, Singil Sarp, Ödemiş Ilker, Atalay Sabri, Pullukçu Hüsnü, Gökengin A Deniz
Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Health Sciences University Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Türkiye.
Department of Public Health, Medical Faculty, Izmir Demokrasi University, Izmir, Türkiye.
BMC Public Health. 2025 Jul 21;25(1):2520. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-23730-z.
HIV/AIDS remains a global public health concern with considerable amounts of stigma impacting patient care. Dentists, as primary care providers, play a crucial role in providing healthcare to people living with HIV (PLWH). However, there are gaps in knowledge and attitudes among dentists regarding HIV/AIDS, resulting in discrimination and barriers to care.
This national cross-sectional study assessed the knowledge and attitudes of Turkish dentists toward HIV/AIDS using an adapted and validated questionnaire. The questionnaire included sections on discriminatory attitudes and behaviors, scientific knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS, and infection control practices. Data were collected from November to December 2024 via an online survey distributed by the Turkish Dental Association. The target sample size was 381 participants, and 383 were included in the study. Since all eligible participants were enrolled, a response rate is not applicable. In total, the data from 383 dentists were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Among participants, 43.6% reported hesitation to treat PLWH due to fear or insufficient training. Dentists in the private sector were more likely to express hesitation than those in the public sector (OR = 2.05, p = 0.002). Knowledge gaps were evident: 41.5% were unaware of the HIV window period, with dentists unaware of this period significantly more likely to work in the private sector (OR = 2.15, p = 0.001). Female dentists were more likely to state the importance of knowing a patient's HIV status (OR = 0.42, p = 0.004), while male dentists more often reported patient inquiries about infection control (OR = 1.62, p = 0.032).
Despite generally good adherence to infection control protocols, significant gaps in knowledge and attitudes persist among Turkish dentists. Findings from multivariate analyses underscore that sector of employment and gender significantly influence dentists' attitudes and knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS. Targeted educational interventions are needed to reduce stigma and improve the quality of dental care for PLWH.
艾滋病毒/艾滋病仍然是一个全球公共卫生问题，大量的污名化现象影响着患者护理。牙医作为初级保健提供者，在为艾滋病毒感染者（PLWH）提供医疗保健方面发挥着关键作用。然而，牙医对艾滋病毒/艾滋病的知识和态度存在差距，导致歧视和护理障碍。
这项全国性横断面研究使用一份经过改编和验证的问卷，评估了土耳其牙医对艾滋病毒/艾滋病的知识和态度。问卷包括歧视性态度和行为、关于艾滋病毒/艾滋病的科学知识以及感染控制措施等部分。2024年11月至12月，通过土耳其牙科协会分发的在线调查收集数据。目标样本量为381名参与者，共有383人纳入研究。由于所有符合条件的参与者均已入组，因此不适用应答率。总共对383名牙医的数据进行了描述性和推断性统计分析。
在参与者中，43.6%的人报告由于恐惧或培训不足而对治疗艾滋病毒感染者犹豫不决。私营部门的牙医比公共部门的牙医更有可能表示犹豫（OR = 2.05，p = 0.002）。知识差距明显：41.5%的人不知道艾滋病毒窗口期，不知道这一时期的牙医在私营部门工作的可能性显著更高（OR = 2.15，p = 0.001）。女牙医更有可能强调了解患者艾滋病毒状况的重要性（OR = 0.42，p = 0.004），而男牙医更常报告患者询问感染控制问题（OR = 1.62，p = 0.032）。
尽管土耳其牙医总体上较好地遵守了感染控制规程，但他们在知识和态度方面仍存在显著差距。多变量分析结果强调，就业部门和性别对牙医关于艾滋病毒/艾滋病的态度和知识有显著影响。需要有针对性的教育干预措施来减少污名化现象，提高为艾滋病毒感染者提供的牙科护理质量。
