Factors associated with adherence to post-exposure prophylaxis among dental professionals in Brazil

This study analyzed the influence of sociodemographic, occupational, and accident-related factors on adherence to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) among dental professionals. A cross-sectional study was conducted using secondary data from the Brazilian Notifiable Diseases Information System, covering incidents of biological material exposure from 2018 to 2023 across all federal units. PEP adherence was the outcome analyzed, and related factors included sociodemographic, occupational, and accident characteristics. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed (α = 5%). A total of 15,650 notifications involving dental professionals were analyzed, representing 3.91% of all cases of occupational exposure, with a PEP adherence rate of 91.0%. The exposed professionals had a mean age of 32.5 years (SD = 10.4), were predominantly women (76.6%), of White race/ethnicity (65.4%), and had higher education (79.7%). The mean work experience was 3.6 years (SD = 6.8). In the adjusted model, adherence was associated with lower educational attainment (OR = 0.71; 95%CI: 0.58-0.88), younger age (OR = 0.99; 95%CI: 0.98-0.99), and longer work experience (OR = 1.02; 95%CI: 1.01-1.03). Percutaneous exposure (OR = 1.39; 95%CI: 1.16-1.67), contact with blood (OR = 1.47; 95%CI: 1.18-1.82), and dental procedure-related accidents (OR = 1.35; 95%CI: 1.07-1.70) increased the likelihood of adherence. Hepatitis B vaccination (OR = 1.96; 95%CI: 1.62-2.36) was associated with increased adherence to PEP. Adherence to PEP was influenced by multiple factors, highlighting the need for effective strategies to improve adherence and occupational safety among these professionals.