The role of dental practitioners in provider initiated HIV counseling and testing (PITC) for patients attending dental practices in Harare, Zimbabwe

A CAJM research article on HIV/AIDS counseling from a dentist' perspective in Zimbabwe.The Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, Zimbabwe introduced voluntary counseling and testing (VCT)in 1999 and the HIV counseling and testing services have since expanded to include provider initiated testing and counseling (PITC) as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).1'2 There should be routine offering of HIV testing and mandatory screening for HIV and diagnostic HIV testing unless the patient opt outs, in hospital locations such as emergency departments where persons who do not otherwise access HIV testing seek health care services.3 Thus it is imperative that health care workers who have initial contact with the patient are equipped with HIV testing and counseling skills so as to limit the referral of patients from one provider to another within the same health facility

Taking up the cudgels against gay rights? Trends and trajectories in African Christian theologies on homosexuality

Against the background of the HIV epidemic and the intense public controversy on homosexuality in African societies, this article investigates the discourses of academic African Christian theologians on homosexuality. Distinguishing some major strands in African theology, that is, inculturation, liberation, women’s and reconstruction theology, the article examines how the central concepts of culture, liberation, justice, and human rights function in these discourses. On the basis of a qualitative analysis of a large number of publications, the article shows that stances of African theologians are varying from silence and rejection to acceptance. Although many African theologians have taken up the cudgels against gay rights, some “dissident voices” break the taboo and develop more inclusive concepts of African identity and African Christianity

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of oral health professionals with regard to the hepatitis B virus in their workplace, Harare

Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Harare oral health professionals regarding Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) in the workplace.Design: A cross sectional study was conducted using a structured 36 item interviewer administered questionnaire to collect data from consenting participants.Setting: The study was conducted at private and public dental practices in Harare.Participants: Oral health professionals comprising dentists, dental therapists and technicians were purposively sampled and interviewed.Results: Eighty nine study participants were interviewed. Seventy four (83%) and 69 participants (77.5%) knew about the potential transmission through contact with blood and saliva respectively. Forty seven (52.8%) participants knew that HBV infection is incurable. Thirty five participants (39.3%) were unaware of the ability of HBV to remain infective in dried blood. Although 22 participants (25%) stated that there was potential for transmission of HBV to patients at their workplace, 81participants (92%) felt they were at risk of contracting HBV infection at work. Sixty one participants (69%) reported being vaccinated, but on verifying the vaccine doses the participants received, 35 (39.3%) received three doses, 15(17%) two doses and 11 (12.4%) one dose. Forty six per cent of the fully vaccinated participants (16 of 35) had a post-HBV vaccination test. Seventy nine (87%) and 83(93.3%) professionals stated consistent use of face masks and gloves during procedures respectively.Conclusion: Although the oral health professionals in Harare appreciated the risk of HBV transmission in dental settings, they had incomplete knowledge of HBV infection and there was poor uptake of HBV vaccination among these professionals

The health care seeking behaviours of patients diagnosed with oral and maxillofacial tumours, Harare

Background: Patients were presenting on their index visit at the University of Zimbabwe Oral Health Centre oral and maxillofacial clinic with tumours with durations of onset varying from months to years. Oro-facial tumour is characterized by poor treatment outcomes if the patient presents for treatment late. Health care seeking behaviour of patients at the maxillofacial clinic was therefore assessed.Broad objective: To determine the health care seeking behaviours of patients diagnosed with oro-facial tumours attending University of Zimbabwe Oral Health Centre Oral and Maxillofacial clinic.Study Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted at University of Zimbabwe Oral Health Centre oral and maxillofacial clinic. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Consenting adult patients attending the oral and maxillofacial clinic with histopathologic diagnosis of oro-facial tumour were enrolled.Results: Sixty five patients participated, 53.8 % (35) males. Fifty four percent (35) had benign tumours. Squamous cell carcinoma was the prevalent malignancy. Fifteen percent (10) of participants with benign tumours delayed seeking medical care by a year after onset of signs and symptoms. Fifty percent (33) of  participants sought medical care because of pain. Twenty six percent (17) of patients attempted self medication before seeking professional care. Having access to a health facility encouraged health care seeking, and 62% (40) of participants sought initial medical care at a clinic, where 22% (14) were referred to the specialist, (58%) were given medication on index visit. More than 2 repeat review visits to the primary health care facility increased delay in seeking specialist care.Conclusion: Patients with oral and maxillofacial tumours delayed seeking medical care. Primary health care facilities are the initial facilities where these patients sought health care services. Attendance at specialist was delayed by the practice of recalling patients for reviews to primary health facilities

The role of dental practitioners in Provider Initiated HIV Counseling and Testing (PITC) for patients attending dental practices in Harare, Zimbabwe

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