Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice towards post exposure prophylaxis for HIV among health care workers in Gondar, North West Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundHIV/AIDS infection in health care facility has become a major health problem. Especially in resource poor setting health care workers are managing huge number of HIV infected patients that made them to be more exposed to HIV infection. This situation makes the use of post exposure prophylaxis for HIV very important. Therefore the aim of the study was to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of health care workers towards post exposure prophylaxis for HIV.MethodsCross-sectional study was conducted among 195 health care workers from February 15 to June 20, 2012. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaire and entered and analyzed using SPSS-20 version. Results were summarized in percentages and presented in tables.ResultsSignificant proportions of respondents, 72 (36.9%), were found to have inadequate knowledge about post exposure prophylaxis for HIV. However the majority of respondent 147 (75.4%) had good attitude toward the PEP and significant number of the respondents, 66 (33.8%), had been exposed to blood, body fluids, needles or sharp objects once or more times while giving care for patients. Among these exposed, 49 (74.2%) took PEP but the rest 17 (25.7%) didn’t take PEP. From these exposed respondents that took PEP, 23 (46.9%) correctly started taking of PEP at exact initiation time, but the rest started after the recommended initiation time. Among those who took PEP, 39 (79 .6%) completed taking the drug, however 10 (20.4%) didn’t complete the PEP regimen.ConclusionAs a conclusion, significant proportion of study subjects had less knowledge and practice even though the majority of respondents had favorable attitude towards PEP. Therefore, a formal training for all HCWs regarding PEP for HIV and also establishing a 24 hour accessible formal PEP centre with proper guideline is recommended.

Knowledge and response of health care workers after needle - stick injury in a tertiary care hospital setting in tribal Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, India

“…In a study done by Mathewos et al in North West Ethiopia, it was found that the percentage of exposed respondents who took PEP (74.2%) was lower than the present study (88.2 %). 17 Many studies on PEP for HIV have shown that the rate of completion of prescribed PEP regimen ranges from 60-94%. [17][18][19] This particular parameter was not considered in our study which happens to be the limitation of the study.…”

“…17 Many studies on PEP for HIV have shown that the rate of completion of prescribed PEP regimen ranges from 60-94%. [17][18][19] This particular parameter was not considered in our study which happens to be the limitation of the study.…”

Prevalence of needle sticks injury and its associated factors among Health Care Workers in Bahir Dar city Health Centers, Northwest Ethiopia

“…Moreover, 61/83 (73.5%) and 57/83 (68.67%) did not take any antiretroviral (ARV) PEP for HIV and did not report their injury to their supervisor for immediate medical attention (Table II and III) despite there is ARV PEP and line of reporting system with assigned supervisor. 13,14 All these figures showed that infection prevention activities were neglected in Bahir Dar city administrative healthcare facilities. The healthcare workforce, 35 million people world wide, represents 12% of the working population.…”

Assessment of knowledge about post exposure prophylaxis of HIV among medical, nursing and paramedical students in hospital and laboratory practice

“…4 Whilst most studies on the efficacy of PEP are derived from animal models, retrospective data from prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) studies and occupational exposure support the efficacy in human subjects and also among health care providers in Europe and the U.S. 1,5,6 Health care providers are at risk of occupational HIV acquisition worldwide with 3/1000 injuries resulting in HIV transmission after percutaneous exposure from an HIV infected patient in health settings. [7][8][9] Several studies have explored knowledge on PEP for HIV among healthcare providers as a whole, nurses, medical doctors, surgical residents, midwifery students, medical interns and dental students.…”

“…They are frequently exposed to occupational hazards through percutaneous injury such as needle stick or cut with sharps, contact with the mucus membrane of eyes or mouth of an infected person, contact with non-intact skin exposed with blood, or other potentially infectious body fluids. 23 The medical, nursing and paramedical students are usually extremely busy and overburdened in a busy and tertiary care hospital. Thus, personal protection may not always remain a priority for them and they may also have constraints of resources for prevention of occupational exposures, such as hand gloves.…”