Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Clinical and behavioral determinants of oral lesions among people living with HIV/AIDS in West Java, Indonesia: a
Irna Sufiawati1,2, Iin Heldayani3, Astrid Widhowaty Santoso4
1Department of Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Padjadjaran, Jalan Sekeloa Selatan No. 1, Bandung, West Java, 40132, Indonesia. irna.sufiawati@unpad.ac.id.
Background:
Oral lesions remain common among people living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and may serve as important clinical indicators of immune status and disease progression, particularly in resource-limited settings. However, data from Indonesia remains limited. This hospital-based cross-sectional study aimed to characterise the spectrum of oral lesions and identify clinical and behavioral determinants associated with their occurrence among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) attending a tertiary referral hospital in West Java, Indonesia.
Methods:
A total of 254 PLWHA were enrolled. Sociodemographic, behavioral, and clinical data were collected through interviews and medical records, and comprehensive intraoral examinations were performed by an oral medicine specialist. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent determinants of oral lesions.
Results:
Oral lesions were identified in 75.6% of participants, with acute pseudomembranous candidiasis (27.2%), oral hairy leukoplakia (20.1%), and recurrent aphthous stomatitis (15.1%) being the most frequent diagnoses. Significant determinants of oral lesions included age ≥ 46 years (AOR 7.71; 95% CI: 1.38-43.21), underweight body mass index (AOR 4.14; 95% CI: 1.63-10.53), poor oral hygiene (AOR 4.43; 95% CI: 1.06-18.44), smoking (AOR 3.26; 95% CI: 1.51-7.08), and advanced HIV clinical stage (AOR 3.69; 95% CI: 1.71-7.95).
Conclusions:
Clinical and behavioral factors play an important role in the development of oral lesions among PLWHA, underscoring the importance of integrating routine oral examinations and targeted oral health strategies into HIV care, particularly in settings with limited access to health care.
Related Concept Videos
Amebiasis
Herpes
Assessment of the Mouth
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin create...
Factors Affecting Illness
For instance, risk factors are connected to illness, disability,...
Oral Cavity
Teeth: The teeth are the hardest structures in our bodies. Humans have two sets of teeth throughout their lifetime: deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. Each tooth consists of several parts: the crown (visible part), the root (embedded in the jaw), enamel (hard outer...
