Knowledge, attitudes and practice survey on blood-borne diseases among dental health care workers in Georgia

  • Marika Kochlamazashvili Health Research Union, Tbilisi, Georgia
  • George Kamkamidze Health Research Union, Tbilisi, Georgia
  • Louise-Anne McNutt State University of New York; Rensselaer, NY, United States
  • Jack DeHovitz SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, United States
  • Olga Chubinishvili Health Research Union, Tbilisi, Georgia
  • Maia Butsashvili Health Research Union, Tbilisi, Georgia
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.9911
Keywords: Dental Health Care Worker, blood borne infections, knowledge and attitudes

Abstract

Introduction: In Georgia limited data exists about awareness of blood borne-diseases among dental health care workers (DHCW).

Methodology: To assess DHCW knowledge, attitudes and practices related to infection control practice guidelines designed to limit transmission of blood-borne diseases, a cross-sectional study was conducted. All respondents were asked to voluntarily complete a self-administered questionnaire. Doctors of Dental Medicine, nurses, and dental residents were recruited from 13 private and governmental dental units in three large Georgian cities: Tbilisi (the capital city), Batumi (Western Georgia) and Rustavi (Eastern Georgia).

Results: Of 244 DHCWs recruited, 196 (80%) agreed to participate. Nearly 42% DHCWs did not know the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Georgia. Knowledge about risk factors for transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), HCV and HBV was low; correct response proportions among all DHCWs were 45.3%, 37.9% and 34.2% for these pathogens, respectively. The 59.7% of DHCWs were uninformed about post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV. Only 37.3% reported being well informed on infection control guidelines. Nearly all (95.6%) DHCWs expressed interest in receiving additional education on occupational transmission of blood-borne pathogens.

Conclusions: Overall, the study suggests DHCWs are aware they have insufficient knowledge of universal precautions. There is a need for developing a continuous education program that is accessible to practicing DHCWs.

Author Biographies

George Kamkamidze, Health Research Union, Tbilisi, Georgia

Dr. Kamkamidze is MD, PhD, MS. Dr. George Kamkamidze received his PhD degree in molecular virology (TSMU) in  2005 and received his master’s degree in biostatistics in SUNY at Albany, NY. He is an associate professor at Tbilisi State medical University. He is a head of the research, laboratory department and biostatistical expert. He has high experience of working with viral infections using immunological and molecular diagnostic methods.  

Louise-Anne McNutt, State University of New York; Rensselaer, NY, United States

Louise-Anne McNutt, PhD is an Associated Director, Associate professor of epidemiology and Biostatistics at Institute for Health and the Environment, University at Albany, State University of New-York. As an epidemiologist and biostatistiction with an expertise in infectious diseases she was supervised development of study design, manuscript revision.

Jack DeHovitz, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, United States

Dr.Jack DeHovitz, MD, MPH, Distinguished Service Professor at State University of New York Downstate Medical Center was contributed in study planning and manuscript revision.

Olga Chubinishvili, Health Research Union, Tbilisi, Georgia

Olga Chubinishvili, MS was involved in the laboratory work.  Dr. Olga Chubinishvili has an extensive experience of working on biological agents. She works at Health Research Union since 2002 as an Senior laboratory researcher.

Maia Butsashvili, Health Research Union, Tbilisi, Georgia

Dr. Butsashvili is an infectious disease physician, public health expert and scientist with over 15 years of experience in public health and epidemiology, clinical medicine and research.  Dr. Butsashvili received her PhD in Epidemiology (with concentration in Infectious diseases epidemiology) from School of Public Health, State University of New York in 2011. In 2000 she received her master’s degree in epidemiology of infectious diseases at State University of New York and her MD from Tbilisi State Medical University in 1993. She is a director, a lead scientist/epidemiologist and a multiple project manager at Health Research Union.

Published
2018-10-31
How to Cite
1.
Kochlamazashvili M, Kamkamidze G, McNutt L-A, DeHovitz J, Chubinishvili O, Butsashvili M (2018) Knowledge, attitudes and practice survey on blood-borne diseases among dental health care workers in Georgia. J Infect Dev Ctries 12:864-870. doi: https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.9911
Issue
Vol 12 No 10: October 2018
Section
Original Articles
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