Changing knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Thai oral health personnel with regard to AIDS: and evaluation of an educuational intervention

Changing knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Thai oral health personnel with regard to AIDS: and evaluation of an educuational intervention

Somyot Lueveswanij, D. of Surgery., F. of Dentistry, PSU.
Wipawee Nittayananta, Assoc. Prof., D. of Stomatology, F. of Dentistry, PSU.
Valerie A Robison, Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Corresponding e-mail : lsomyot@ratree.psu.ac.th

Grant : DANIDA, Denmark
Published : Community Dental Health (2000) 17, 165-171
Key words : AIDS, attitude, infection control, intervention, knowledge, oral health personnel, practice

Objective : This study evaluated the dffect an educational intervention in improving Thai oral health personnelÕs (OHP) knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding HIV/AIDS.

Research design : The study used a pre-test/post-test design with study and control groups. Results of the pre-test questionnaire were used to design the intervention. Three months after the study group received th intervention, the same questionnaire was given to both groups.

Intervention : A three-day workshop was conducted using a variety of teaching methods: lectures, videos, role-plays, interviews with HIV infected persons, and demonstrations.

Setting : The study was conducted in rural government dental clinics in three provinces in southern Thailand. One hundred and three OHP in 23 dental clinics were in the study group while 46 OHP in 11 dental clinics were in the control group.

Outcome measures : The outcomes were knowledge and attitudes regarding HIV/AIDS, perception of occupational risk, willingess to treat HIV infected persons and adherence to recommended infection control procedures.

Results and conclusions : The educational intervention resulted in significant improvement in many domains of KAP in the study group, while there was little change in the control group. The post-test guestionnaire showed that further improvements are needed in attitudes towards HIV/ AIDS and practices regarding acci-dental needle stick injure. The intervention was both effective and appropriate and should be considered for national use.

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