2023 Volume 39 Issue 1 Pages 10-16
Abstract In this study, we conducted a survey to understand the mechanism and current status of education on HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection in dental hygienist training schools. Of the 165 training schools surveyed, 113 (68.5%) responded, of which 93 (82.3%) reported that they provide education on HIV infection. In terms of lecture content, 95 schools (84.1%) teach measures against nosocomial (health-care-associated) infection, 83 schools (73.5%) teach about infectivity, 61 schools (54.0%) teach about the natural course of the disease after infection, and 41 schools (36.3%) teach response to exposure (post-exposure prophylaxis). The most remarkable result is the low number of training schools offering lectures on response to exposure. Comparing the schools that teach administration of post-exposure prophylaxis versus those that do not, the most significant difference was whether the lecturer’s experience included work at an AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) treatment center hospital (χ2=11.928, p=0.001).
The results of the survey indicate that HIV education tends to focus mainly on nosocomial infection control, with limited or no information about the details of HIV infection and administration of post-exposure prophylaxis. We recommend that, going forward, dental hygienist training courses actively incorporate accurate medical knowledge about HIV infection and post-exposure countermeasures.
