Sample infection control needs assessment survey data from eight countries

TY - JOUR

T1 - Sample infection control needs assessment survey data from eight countries

AU - Puttaiah, Raghunath

AU - Shulman, Jay D.

AU - Youngblood, Dennis

AU - Bedi, Raman

AU - Tse, Edwin

AU - Shetty, Sadashiva

AU - Almas, Khalid

AU - Kim, Byung-Ock

AU - Du, Minquan

PY - 2009/10

Y1 - 2009/10

N2 - Objectives: To compare knowledge, attitudes and practice of standard methods in infection control by dentists in eight countries using a standardised questionnaire.  Methods: Self-administered questionnaires on dental infection control and safety (IC&S) knowledge, attitudes and practice were distributed to a convenience sample of dentists in India, Pakistan, Thailand, Philippines, Taiwan, China, South Korea and the United States of America. Results: Knowledge and practice of infection control among the Asian dentists lagged behind the levels of US dentists. Availability and affordability of equipment and materials were some of the reasons for the practice of infection control and safety. Attitude towards universal/standard precautions in controlling bloodborne pathogens was comparable between groups surveyed. Tested knowledge and practice of infection control was acceptable but the attitude and understanding of universal/standard precautions was ambiguous among both Asian and USA dental practitioners. Education in dental infection control should focus on improving the attitudes of practitioners towards universal precautions. Conclusions: Knowledge and practice of dental IC&S was high among the USA respondents. Immunisation and IC & S should be stressed in Asia. Information obtained through this study could be used to plan and implement policies in improving dental infection control and occupational safety in individual countries.

AB - Objectives: To compare knowledge, attitudes and practice of standard methods in infection control by dentists in eight countries using a standardised questionnaire.  Methods: Self-administered questionnaires on dental infection control and safety (IC&S) knowledge, attitudes and practice were distributed to a convenience sample of dentists in India, Pakistan, Thailand, Philippines, Taiwan, China, South Korea and the United States of America. Results: Knowledge and practice of infection control among the Asian dentists lagged behind the levels of US dentists. Availability and affordability of equipment and materials were some of the reasons for the practice of infection control and safety. Attitude towards universal/standard precautions in controlling bloodborne pathogens was comparable between groups surveyed. Tested knowledge and practice of infection control was acceptable but the attitude and understanding of universal/standard precautions was ambiguous among both Asian and USA dental practitioners. Education in dental infection control should focus on improving the attitudes of practitioners towards universal precautions. Conclusions: Knowledge and practice of dental IC&S was high among the USA respondents. Immunisation and IC & S should be stressed in Asia. Information obtained through this study could be used to plan and implement policies in improving dental infection control and occupational safety in individual countries.

U2 - 10.1922/IDJ_2145Puttaiah06

DO - 10.1922/IDJ_2145Puttaiah06

M3 - Article

SN - 0020-6539

VL - 59

SP - 271

EP - 276

JO - International Dental Journal

JF - International Dental Journal

IS - 5

ER -