Table I.
Demographic characteristics of dental healthcare workers in South Africa
| Demographic characteristics | Overall N = 454 |
|---|---|
| Age (years) | 36 ± 13.3 |
| Sex: female : male (%) | 74 : 26 |
| Smoking history: no. (%) | |
| - Current | 53 (13%) |
| - Ex-smoker | 31 (8%) |
| - Non-smoker | 319 (79%) |
| - Average number of years smoked | 12 ± 10.0 |
| - Average age when started smoking (years) | 20 ± 6.8 |
| Employment duration in current job (years) | 10 ± 9.1 |
| Employment duration in current clinic (years) | 9 ± 8.3 |
| Employment duration prior to current employment (years) (n = 129) | 7 ± 6.5 |
| Number of patients consulted per day | 16 ± 20 |
| Staff clinical working hours per day | 8 ± 2.3 |
| Occupational exposure to | |
| - Spray | 240 (53%) |
| - Mist | 26 (6%) |
| - Steam | 14 (3%) |
| - Dust | 5 (1%) |
| Extent of occupational exposure | |
| - Excessive (most of the day) | 98 (22%) |
| - Regular (thrice a week) | 124 (27%) |
| - Minimal (once a week) | 90 (20%) |
| - Nil | 142 (31%) |
| Distance from source of exposure | |
| - Right next to the source (<1 m) | 229 (50%) |
| - About 1–2 m | 44 (10%) |
| - More than 2 m | 34 (40%) |
| Episode of peak exposure causing tight chest, wheeze or cough | 83 (18%) |
| Regular use of PPE | 297 (65%) |
| - Goggles | 180 (40%) |
| - Gloves | 311 (69%) |
| - Respiratory protection (surgical mask) | 280 (62%) |
| - Laboratory coats | 252 (56%) |
| Type of gloves used (n = 311) | |
| - Powdered latex | 150 (48%) |
| - Powder-free low-protein latex | 65 (21%) |
| - Non-latex | 14 (5%) |
| - Combination of > 1 type | 82 (26%) |
| Contact with latex containing products at work | 311 (83%) |
Note: Continuous variables- mean ± SD; Categorical variables- number (%)