The study investigated the relationship between gender and knowledge, attitude and practice of infection control among oral health care workers in the management of patients with HIV/AIDS in Osun State of Nigeria. It was a cross-sectional survey using 85 oral Health care workers (OHCWs) enlisted in the public dental health clinics. A self-administered questionnaire was designed and used for data collection. A total of 85 questionnaires were distributed. The response rate was 93%; 42 (53%) were males and 37 (47%) females. The majority of the respondents were in the 25-40 year old age group and the mean age was 37.3 years. This study found significant differences in gender and ability to identify HIV/AIDS oral manifestations (p<0.001) and recognition of HIV/AIDS risk factors (p<0.001). There was statistically significant gender difference and infection control practices (p=0.02) among the OHCWs. Males were more compliant to the universal cross-infection control principle than the female respondents. A significant association (p< 0.001) was found between OHCW gender and their attitude to the management of HIV/AIDS patients with males showing a better attitude towards the care of HIV/AIDS patients. This study shows that there are significant gender difference in attitudes, behaviour and practices of OHCW with males faring better than the females. National AIDS Control Programme, Health Control bodies, Health educators and other organizations should make efforts to improve the attitude and practice of oral health care workers regarding the management of patients with HIV/AIDS.

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of the oral manifestations of HIV/AIDS and to correlate the prevalence of these lesions with the stages of the disease in the Ife-Ijesa zone, Nigeria. No comprehensive data were available for correlating it with the staging of HIV/AIDS in this region.The pattern of oral HIV lesions as classified by the EC-Clearinghouse was studied in 225 confirmed consecutive HIV-infected patients in this zone.
Clinical dental examinations were conducted under natural daylight on all consenting HIV patients, sitting in an upright chair, using dental mirrors and probes.
The prevalence of oral HIV lesions was 84.0%, with lesions ranging in number from one to six. The commonest HIV lesion was pseudo-membranous candidiasis (43.1%) followed by erythematous candidiasis (28.9%), angular cheilitis (28.9%), linear gingival erythema (24.0%) and ulcerations (8.9%). Lesions less commonly found were oral hairy leukoplakia (1.3%) and salivary gland swellings (1.3%). Heterosexual intercourse was the most common mode of transmission (94.7%) and HIV-1 (96.9%) the most prevalent pathogen among the study population. The majority of the patients were in the WHO clinical stage III (59.1%) and presented late.
The prevalence of oral HIV lesions in the present study was high.

The objective of this study was to determine the oral health status and needs of people living with HIV/AIDS(PLWHA) in Ife-Ijesa zone, Nigeria. Materials and methods: An anonymous, administered questionnaire survey
among 209 PLWHA who provided informed, written consent was conducted. Information on socio-demographics,
perceived oral health status and professional care obtained. Clinical oral examinations were conducted using a dental
explorer and mirror in natural daylight. The oral examinations were carried out to determine, presence of oral HIV
lesions, normative needs-oral hygiene and periodontal status, restorative and surgical needs. Results: There was a
statistically significant relationship between the presence of an oral HIV lesion and perceived oral health status.
Patients that reported the need for oral health care are more than those of medical needs (p<0.05). The oral health
needs increased as the clinical stage of the disease advanced (p<0.05). There was poor oral health status among the
PLWHA and their needs were routine. Conclusions: The oral health status of the examined PLWHAs was poor. The
normative and the perceived oral health evaluation were not in agreement in this study. The normative oral health
care needs of PLWHAs are not complex and hence district oral health care centres should be equipped to meet these
needs.

This study set out to determine the self-reported unmet health needs of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in a Nigerian population.A prospective study conducted among consecutive 209 consenting PLWHA in the South-western Nigeria; who sought for care in the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals complex, Ile-Ife and General Hospital, Ilesa were recruited. Participants completed a comprehensive survey seeking information to determine their unmet needs in the following areas: Medication, Dental, Mental, Home care, Hospital admission, access to antiretroviral therapy and emergency services.
One or more unmet needs were reported by 79.4% of the sample. Needs for medication, home-based care and mental care were more likely to be unmet. There was a statistically significant relationship between unmet needs and living arrangements (p < 0.05).
Perceived oral health status was the factor that best predicted the unmet need. Perceived oral health status of these patients should be improved to reduce the level of the unmet needs.

This study set out to determine the self-reported unmet health needs of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in a Nigerian population.A prospective study conducted among consecutive 209 consenting PLWHA in the South-western Nigeria; who sought for care in the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals complex, Ile-Ife and General Hospital, Ilesa were recruited. Participants completed a comprehensive survey seeking information to determine their unmet needs in the following areas: Medication, Dental, Mental, Home care, Hospital admission, access to antiretroviral therapy and emergency services.
One or more unmet needs were reported by 79.4% of the sample. Needs for medication, home-based care and mental care were more likely to be unmet. There was a statistically significant relationship between unmet needs and living arrangements (p < 0.05).
Perceived oral health status was the factor that best predicted the unmet need. Perceived oral health status of these patients should be improved to reduce the level of the unmet needs.