PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Alshouibi, Ehab N. AU - AlAlyani, Wafa S. TI - Human immunodeficiency virus related discrimination in general dentistry AID - 10.15537/smj.2018.11.23394 DP - 2018 Nov 01 TA - Saudi Medical Journal PG - 1148--1153 VI - 39 IP - 11 4099 - http://smj.org.sa/content/39/11/1148.short 4100 - http://smj.org.sa/content/39/11/1148.full SO - Saudi Med J2018 Nov 01; 39 AB - Objectives: To investigate HIV related discrimination among general dentists in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; and to list factors affecting or causing healthcare providers to discriminate people living with HIV (PLWH).Methods: The current study takes place in Jeddah, western Saudi Arabia. The duration for accepting all responses was between March and November, 2017. In this cross-sectional study, we used a self-administered, structured questionnaire. The sample size was 430 general dentists practicing in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Descriptive statistics, mean, and standard deviation were calculated. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was carried out at p<0.05 level of significance. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) was used for data analysis.Results: In our study population, the total HIV related discrimination was 67.4%. Approximately 98.1% defer PLWH to the last appointment of the day, while 84.7% refer them to specialists. Furthermore,100% reported wearing double gloves, and 94.7% where wearing protective eye shields if they encounter HIV-patient in the clinic. Male participants were found to be 23% more likely to be discriminative compared to female participants, Moreover, participants who are confident to provide both surgical and non-surgical dental treatment for PLWH were found to be 52% less likely to be discriminative towards PLWH. Also, HIV discrimination is 33% higher in the private practice compared to the governmental practice.Conclusion: Human immunodeficiency virus related discrimination in the study population was affected by dentists’ gender, type of practice, and self-protective attitudes.