Gender and Oral Manifestations of HIV Infection Among Adult Nigerians

Abstract

Oral manifestations were studied in 305 adult Nigerians with HIV infection. Data collected were demographic (age, sex, marital status, educational status and occupation) and clinical (mode of transmission, general manifestations and oral manifestations of HIV infection). The chi-square test was used in test for significance between variables and p values less than 0.05 were regarded as significant. A total of 47.5% patients had oral manifestations. There were 67.6% females and 32.4% males (p <0.001). The patients ranged in age from 19-70 years. Heterosexual contact with multiple sex partners was the most common mode of transmission of infection (42.9% in females and 74.5% in males, p < 0.05). Candidiasis was the most common oral manifestation (78.6% in females and 78.7% in males p >0.05). The study concluded that similar demographic and clinical characteristics were observed in the occurrence of oral manifestations of HIV infection in both male and female Nigerians.

The Alma-Ata declaration: An appraisal of Nigeria's primary oral health care three decades later

“…Other studies on oral manifestations of HIV in adult Nigerians reported prevalence of oral lesions ranging from 20% in 2001 to 84% in 2008, and. 87.2% in children [20][21][22][23][24].…”

HIV/AIDS; Oral Complications And Challenges, The Nigerian Experience

“…It is probably the most common site of lymph node involvement in HIV infection. A prevalence of 5.1% in females and 4.3% in males was reported in Nigeria 15 . …”

“…It may herald HIV disease in vast majority of cases, and also may be present after AIDS is established. It is the second most prevalent oral lesion in the world, however, the reported incidence is lower in Nigeria with a range of 4.4%-9.9% 3,14,15 . Hairy leukoplakia is highly characteristic of HIV infection especially in male homosexuals.…”

“…This is usually the result of HIV gland disease or secondary to medications which may produce dry mouth symptoms 29 . The frequency of salivary gland enlargement in Nigerian studies were reported to be 25.6% in children and 1.0 -1.3% in adults 5,15 .The parotid gland is the most commonly affected salivary gland in HIV infection and one, or both glands could be involved, with a presentation of bilateral parotid gland swelling. The glands are soft, painless with diffuse swelling which enlarges slowly.…”

Why dentists should take a greater interest in sex and gender

“…7 There is also some evidence that men are more likely than women to experience oral health problems as part of HIV and AIDS. 8 Temporomandibular disorders appear to be signifi cantly more common in women but the reasons for this are not clear. 9 The impact of biological differences on the oral health of women and men therefore requires much greater attention.…”