Princess Christina Campbell - Associate Professor, Department of Community Health and Primary Care, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Akoka, ‎Nigeria
Dada Sheriff - Department of Community Health and Primary Care, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Akoka, Nigeria‎

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Oral health knowledge and oral health seeking behavior among people living with human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) (PLWHA) have been found to be very low. The importance of education to improve awareness and oral health practices cannot be overemphasized. The study determined the level of awareness, perceived oral status and practices of oral health care among PLWHA attending Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta (FMCA), Nigeria.METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study recruited ۲۰۴ participants using systematic random sampling technique. The self-designed, pre-tested questionnaire was interviewer-administered by trained research assistants in October ۲۰۱۴ for ۴ weeks. All research protocols were strictly adhered to. The data were analyzed with SPSS, chi-square, ANOVA, Fischer’s exact test and P value was calculated.RESULTS: Out of ۲۰۴ patients, ۱۹۱, predominantly females ۱۰۰ (۵۲.۴%); married ۱۲۰ (۶۲.۸%), participated, with a response rate of ۹۳.۶%. The age range was ۱۸-۶۹ years with a mean of ۳۷.۶۴ ± ۱۱.۳۰ years. Oral health awareness was low ۴۷ (۲۴.۶%), but ۱۳۸ (۷۲.۳%) were aware of the role of fluoride toothpaste. Awareness on oral health was statistically significant with the level of education (P < ۰.۰۵۰). The majority ۱۸۹ (۹۹.۰%); ۱۶۸ (۸۸.۹%) used toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, respectively, ۶۹ (۳۶.۱%) brushed at least twice daily, none used dental floss, ۱۴ (۷.۳%) had visited the dentist within ۶ months, and ۱۲۳ (۶۴.۴%) never received dental care.CONCLUSION: The limited awareness on oral health and its practices can be improved by oral health information and education among the respondents, and further help reduce the severity of some further complications.

Oral Health, awareness, method, PLWHA