301454
Dental Hygiene Patients Willingness to Undergo HIV Testing
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered among 400 dental hygiene patients at University-based clinics in New York City from November 2013-February 2014. Using the Decisional Conflict Theory, patient acceptance of RHT, provider type preference and willingness to pay were assessed.
Results: The mean age of respondents was 38.3 (SD 15.2), 56.3% were female, 38.1% were White and 40.3% Hispanic. Over half (68.2%) indicated willingness to have HIV testing in a dental clinic, with 85.8 % choosing oral RHT, 5.8% pin prick RHT and 8.3% a blood draw. Those selecting blood draw were younger than those selecting the oral rapid method (26.5 vs 38.4 years, p<0.05). Respondents preferred testing by dental hygienists (36.7%) and dental assistants (35%) over dentists (26.7%). Cost-wise, 61.4% indicated they would only take the test if it were $20 or less. The mean decisional conflict score was 3.5/4.0.
Conclusions: Patients are willing to undergo oral RHT HIV testing with dental hygienists in the dental environment. With a high decisional conflict score, patients appear aware of the benefits and risks associated with RHT. Further research is needed to evaluate the public health benefits and logistical challenges facing the provision of HIV testing in this environment.
Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and preventionProtection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control
Public health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Describe dental hygiene patient attitudes toward rapid HIV testing in the dental setting
Identify barriers to conducting rapid HIV testing in the dental hygiene clinic setting
Discuss reliable and valid ways of measuring decision making and decision conlfict in patient populations
Keyword(s): Oral Health, HIV/AIDS
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the principal or co-principal investigator on numerous research studies involving dental professionals and dental and dental hygiene patient attitudes toward HIV testing. My main research interest is expanding rapid HIV testing into non-primary care settings such as dentistry and community pharmacy settings.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.