Dentistry and HIV/AIDS related stigma

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To analyze HIV/AIDS positive individual’s perception and attitudes regarding dental services.METHODS One hundred and thirty-four subjects (30.0% of women and 70.0% of men) from Nuevo León, Mexico, took part in the study (2014). They filled out structured, analytical, self-administered, anonymous questionnaires. Besides the sociodemographic variables, the perception regarding public and private dental services and related professionals was evaluated, as well as the perceived stigma associated with HIV/AIDS, through a Likert-type scale. The statistical evaluation included a factorial and a non-hierarchical cluster analysis.RESULTS Social inequalities were found regarding the search for public and private dental professionals and services. Most subjects reported omitting their HIV serodiagnosis and agreed that dentists must be trained and qualified to treat patients with HIV/AIDS. The factorial analysis revealed two elements: experiences of stigma and discrimination in dental appointments and feelings of concern regarding the attitudes of professionals or their teams concerning patients’ HIV serodiagnosis. The cluster analysis identified three groups: users who have not experienced stigma or discrimination (85.0%); the ones who have not had those experiences, but feel somewhat concerned (12.7%); and the ones who underwent stigma and discrimination and feel concerned (2.3%).CONCLUSIONS We observed a low percentage of stigma and discrimination in dental appointments; however, most HIV/AIDS patients do not reveal their serodiagnosis to dentists out of fear of being rejected. Such fact implies a workplace hazard to dental professionals, but especially to the very own health of HIV/AIDS patients, as dentists will not be able to provide them a proper clinical and pharmaceutical treatment.

Oral health in the agenda of priorities in public health

“…Oliveira et al 37 studied the dental care aimed at children and adolescents with Down syndrome, and underlined the importance of the orientation of health professionals who take care of these patients in order to provide full care. Elizondo et al 13 analyzed the dental care aimed at patients with HIV/AIDS in Mexico by examining their perception regarding the persistence of stigma on the part of professionals.…”

Lesões orofaciais e efeitos colaterais de pacientes HIV positivos em uso da terapia antirretroviral altamente ativa

“…A HAART tem fundamental importância e papel na vida destes pacientes de forma que permitiu um aumento significativo na sua qualidade de vida e também na sobrevida 7 , o que pode ser bem exemplificado em nossa amostra, quando cerca de 1/3 de todos os pacientes estejam vivendo com a doença há mais de 10 anos, um deles vivendo entre 30 e 40 anos com a doença controlada e em bom estado de saúde, o que em época anterior à sua implementação não poderia acontecer tão facilmente. E, por isso, com a HAART tendo como principal foco o impedimento da replicação viral e consequente manutenção de valores viáveis de linfócitos TCD4+, o tratamento permite esta conquista em longo prazo.…”

“…Com o advento da terapia antirretroviral altamente ativa (HAART, na sigla em inglês) ocorreu um aumento significativo do tempo de vida, e consequentemente da qualidade de vida dos indivíduos infectados pelo HIV (HIV+) 1,7 , diminuindo a mortalidade e morbidade desta doença, assim como a transmissão do vírus 8 .…”

HIV and stigma in the healthcare setting

“…Some PLHIV reported that feeling comfortable with one's dentist and being aware that there is appropriate standard infection control for all, irrespective of HIV status, made them feel empowered within the dental setting. Others described the benefit of written support and understanding from the dental team as being a key factor in their positive experiences at the dentist (Elizondo, Treviño, & Violant, 2015).…”