Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice of post-exposure prophylaxis against blood-borne viral infection among dental surgeons in a teaching hospital

Abstract

Background: This study was aimed at assessing the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of dental surgeons on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP).Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among all the consenting dental surgeons at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria, between May and July, 2015. The survey was carried out using a self-administered, anonymous, twenty-five item, and structured questionnaire.Results: A total of 40 (74.1%) males and 14 (25.9%) females responded in the study. The majority, 37 (68.5%), of the dental surgeons had inadequate knowledge about PEP. Majority of the dental surgeons, 44 (81.5%), had a good attitude towards PEP for HIV/HBV. From the study participants, 52 (96.3%) agreed on the importance of PEP for HIV/HBV in the work place. A high proportion of the respondents, 47 (87.0%), had been vaccinated against HBV. Among all of the respondents, 25 (46.3%) were exposed to HIV/HBV risky conditions. Sixteen of the 25 exposed dental surgeons, 16/25 (64.0%), did not take PEP. Among the respondents who did not take PEP, 15 of those 16 (93.6%) stated that their reason for not taking PEP was due to fear of stigma and discrimination.Conclusion: This study shows that knowledge and practice of dental surgeons towards PEP for HIV/HBV is inadequate. A formal PEP training centre with proper guidelines is recommended for dental surgeons.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) of post exposure prophylaxis for fifth year dental students at a private Egyptian university: a cross-sectional study

“…Our study shows that less than half of the students had positive knowledge regarding the length of time of PEP. This value is low compared to the results of Mathewos et al [ 17 ] and Okoh & Saheeb [ 20 ] on two different populations, healthcare workers in Ethiopia and dental surgeons in Nigeria respectively, while higher than results reached by Elsadig [ 21 ] among Sudanese dentists.…”

“…We found that our students had knowledge of the preferable time for taking PEP while, Okoh & Saheeb [ 20 ] reported higher percentage than our students. But our results have higher percentage than both Elsadig [ 21 ] and Kasat el al.…”

“…But updates, seminars or trainings on PEP and universal precaution guidelines are not routinely performed for the students. Therefore, the students lean on clinical training and their friends to learn about PEP in accordance with Agaba et al, Mathewos et al, Okoh & Saheeb and Elsadig [ 17 , 19 , 20 ].…”

Post-exposure prophylaxis following occupational exposure to HIV and hepatitis B: an analysis of a 12-year record in a Nigerian tertiary hospital

“…There are few studies that reported on utilisation and outcome of PEP for both HIV and HBV in Africa (Ifeanyichukwu and Ofili, 2013; Okoh and Saheeb, 2017). The main objectives of this study were to examine the utilisation and outcome of PEP for both HIV and HBV in a tertiary hospital in North-Western Nigeria.…”

Information Sources, Knowledge and Practice Towards HIV/ Hepatitis B Co-Infection In Lagos, Nigeria

“…These results are similar to that of Okeke, et al[46] which shows the low level of preventive measures such as vaccinations, despite the prevalence of needle-stick injuries amongst medical students in Jos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. In another study on dental surgeons in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, it was revealed that 64% of dental surgeons did not take PEP (Post-exposure Prophylaxis) after exposure to the risk of HIV/HBV co-infection[47]. This present study shows thatthere's an average preventive practice of HIV/HBV among Lagos residents, and these findings are similar to previous ones which show average level of precautionary techniques by hairdressers and barbers through reusing razors, non-sterilization, lack of disinfection, lack of vaccination, lack of washing hands, lack of protective gear such as gloves, amongst others [48-50].…”