Dental hygienists behaviour towards HIV-positive patients in highly active antiretroviral therapy era: a pilot survey.

OBJECTIVES: Literature reports highlighted the presence of discriminatory episodes towards individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) on behalf of dental care workers. The purpose of this study was to assess hygienists' attitude when treating HIV-infected individuals in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). METHODS: A national observational study was carried out on all the members of an Italian hygienist association. An anonymous questionnaire was mailed to 1247 hygienists: the questionnaire investigated demographic data, the relationship between the hygienists and HIV-infected persons, to identify the presence of discriminatory behaviour, the hygienists' scientific knowledge of HIV-related problems and the precautions normally used in the office to prevent cross-infections. RESULTS: Of the 1247 questionnaires that were delivered to hygienists, 287 (23%) were completed and returned within a 6-month period. A total of 287 hygienists answered the question 'Did you ever deny treatment to an HIV-infected persons?' and 17 hygienists (5.9%) replied 'Yes'. Protective eyewear [odds ratio (OR), 0.036; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.002-0.818; P = 0.037] and public practice [OR, 2.93; 95% CI, 0.97-8.87; P = 0.057] were associated with refusing to treat HIV-infected persons. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight the existence of episodes of discrimination by some hygienists towards HIV-infected individuals. From clinical point of view, this discriminatory behaviour may expose the dental health care workers and their patients to a greater risk of cross-infection.

Situación epidemiológica del abuso de drogas en México / Epidemiological status of drugs abuse in Mexico

As a country that produces marijuana and opium, and as a route for cocaine traffic to te United States of America, Mexico is experiencing serious social and health problems related to the trafficking, use and abuse of these drugs, and other dependency-producing substances. In 1988 a national survey of addiction was undertaken in which information was collected on the prevalence of the use of alcohol, tobacco, inhalants, marijuana, cocaine, hallucinogens, opium, heroin, narcotic analgesics, sedatives and traquilizers. A sample was identified in the population between the ages of 12 and 65 living in urban areas of more than 2,500 inhabitants, which account for approximately 65 percent of the country's total population. This sample consisted of 12,557 persons, according to the results of the survey, 51 percent of the population between 18 and 65 years of age use alcoholic beverage and 24.7 percent of the entire study population are active smokers. In addition, 43 percent had use one or more drugs other than tobacco or alcohol at some time. Prevelence of marijuana use was 2.6 percent, while the rates for tranquilizers, inhalants, and amphetamines were identical (0.7 percent). For cocaine the rate was 0.3 percent, and for heroin 0.1 percent

Epidemiologic status of drug abuse in Mexico

The contents of this special issue were also published in Spanish in the Boletín de la Oficina Sanitaria Panamericana Vol. 107, N0. 6, 1989