Knowledge and attitudes of non-occupational HIV post-exposure prophylaxis amongst first- and second-year medical students at Stellenbosch University in South Africa

Ncube, Nondumiso B. Q.; Meintjes, Willem Albertus Jacobus; Chola, Lumbwe

doi:10.4102/phcfm.v6i1.665

Cited by 5 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…A study conducted among 400 participants who attended a clinic in Jerusalem for HIV testing reported lower awareness of PEP, with only 24% of participants being aware that the time window for effective PEP is 72 h [ 34 ]. In a South African study of 169 medical university students, only 28% reported that PEP can be used to prevent HIV infection [ 35 ]. Conversely, an American survey of 529 respondents in 2016–2017 reported a higher level of awareness, with 59% of participants being aware of PEP [ 32 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What do patients consulting in a free sexual health center know about HIV transmission and post-exposure prophylaxis?

et al. 2021

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Background Screening, condom use and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) are among existing HIV prevention strategies. However, efficient use of these strategies requires that patients have an adequate knowledge of HIV transmission routes and awareness of risk behaviors. This study aimed to assess knowledge about HIV transmission among patients who attended a free HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening center in Paris, France, and to explore the patient profiles associated with HIV-related knowledge. Methods This observational cross-sectional study included 2002 patients who attended for STI testing from August 2017 through August 2018 and completed a self-administered electronic questionnaire. Based on incorrect answers regarding HIV transmission, two outcomes were assessed: lack of knowledge and false beliefs. Factors associated with these two outcomes were explored using univariate and multivariate logistic regressions. Results Only 3.6% of patients did not know about HIV transmission through unprotected sexual intercourse and/or by sharing needles. More than one third of patients (36.4%) had at least one false belief, believing that HIV could be transmitted by sharing a drink (9.7%), kissing (17.6%) or using public toilets (27.5%). A low educational level and no previous HIV testing were associated in multivariate analyses with both lack of knowledge and false beliefs. Age and sexual orientation were also associated with false beliefs. Furthermore, 55.6% of patients did not know that post-exposure prophylaxis consists of taking emergency treatment as soon as possible after risky intercourse. Conclusions Although the main HIV transmission routes are well known, false beliefs persist and knowledge regarding PEP needs to be improved. Prevention campaigns must focus on these themes which appear as a complementary strategy to pre-exposure prophylaxis to reduce HIV infection.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What do patients consulting in a free sexual health center know about HIV transmission and post-exposure prophylaxis?

et al. 2021

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“…As only a proportion of our Kenyan texts are from Western Kenya, it makes sense that VMMC should feature most prominently in the Swazi sample, though it is disappointing that it is mentioned in only one 2014 text. We have been unable to locate data on PEP coverage in SSA; Ncube et al [7] note that its availability is limited even in South Africa. PrEPWatch [30] reports the number of PrEP users per country.…”

Section: Plos Onementioning

confidence: 97%

“…Postexposure prophylaxis (PEP), the short-term use of antiretrovirals following exposure, has been acknowledged to reduce the risk of HIV infection since the early 1990s. Although PEP is acknowledged as an important intervention to prevent sexual transmission in SSA [6], its availability even in South Africa has been limited [7]. However, as a post-violence care intervention, it is currently a core component of the DREAMS (Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored and Safe) project to reduce HIV infections among AGYW in ten highly affected countries in SSA [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social representations of the prevention of heterosexual transmission of HIV among young Africans from five countries, 1997-2014

et al. 2020

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HIV prevention has evolved dramatically since the 1990s. The ABC trilogy (abstinence, be faithful, use a condom) has expanded to incorporate a range of biomedical prevention strategies, including voluntary medical male circumcision, pre-and post-exposure prophylaxis, and treatment-as-prevention, and to accommodate structural and combination prevention approaches. This study examines how young Africans from five epidemiologically and socio-culturally diverse countries (Swaziland, Kenya, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Senegal) made sense of the evolving prevention of sexual transmission of HIV between 1997 and 2014. It uses a distinctive data source: 1,343 creative narratives submitted to HIV-themed scriptwriting competitions by young people aged 10-24. The study triangulates between analysis of quantifiable characteristics of the narratives, thematic qualitative analysis, and narrative-based approaches. Over time, HIV prevention themes become less prominent. Condoms are represented less often from 2008, though representations become more favourable. Biomedical prevention is all but absent through 2014. While prevention strategies may be described as effective in narratorial commentary, they are rarely depicted as preventing HIV, but are evoked instead in moralistic cautionary tales or represented as ineffective. Over time, an increasing proportion of protagonists are female. One in five narratives acknowledge structural drivers of HIV, but these are generally either disempowering or condemn characters for failing to prevent HIV in the face of often overwhelming structural challenges. In the context of combination prevention, there is a need to disseminate an empowering cultural narrative that models successful use of HIV prevention strategies despite structural constraints and avoids blaming and stigma.

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“…Theme 2: Attitudes towards PEP ( n = 4) (Bareki & Tenego 2018 ; McDowall & Laher 2019 ; Mekgoe et al 2019 ; Ncube et al 2014 ).…”

Section: Thematic Analysis Of Selected Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Theme 3: Adherence towards and practice of PEP ( n = 10) (Aigbodion et al 2019 ; Bareki & Tenego 2018 ; Kabotho & Chives 2020 ; Mabina et al 2018 ; Makhado & Davhana-Maselesele 2016 ; Makhado & Seekane 2020 ; McDowall & Laher 2019 ; Mossburg et al 2019 ; Ncube et al 2014 ; Rasweswe & Peu 2020 , 2021).…”

Section: Thematic Analysis Of Selected Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Healthcare practitioners and students’ PEP knowledge, attitude and adherence in Southern Africa

Makhado

Musekwa

Makhado

et al. 2022

Health SA Gesondheid

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Introduction and backgroundGlobal statistics show the prevalence of possible occupational human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) exposure and infection within one's (Health Care Practitioner [HCP]) career to be 56.2%, and considering sociodemographic factors, the prevalence is about 54.8% (Mengistu, Tolera & Demmu 2021). Because of the manner of work, it is common for HCPs to be exposed to blood, needle stick injuries or the possibility of infection. Annually, 35.7 million HCPs are subject to percutaneous exposures (Shil & Upashe 2020). In Africa, the prevalence of occupational exposure is approximately 92% among HCPs depending on the year (Mossburg et al. 2019). Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) was designed as a 'reactive' method to prevent HIV infection, serving the same purpose as preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which may be considered a 'proactive/preventative' measure. Postexposure prophylaxis is a measure provided to minimise the risk of infection following potential exposure to bloodborne pathogens (Smoot 2021;Tekalign et al. 2022). Post-exposure prophylaxis includes counselling, risk assessments, relevant laboratory investigations and 4 weeks of antiretroviral treatment with follow-up and support. Thus, in the event of occupational exposure, HCPs who wish to take PEP should have adequate information and a counselling session that would assist them in fully benefiting from PEP and preventing HIV transmission (Adebimpe 2018). Rossouw et al. (2014) claim that all cases of occupational exposure involve noticeable risk; hence, it is substantial for HCPs to take the PEP drug post-exposure. However, we find that even with the Background: There is a high prevalence of occupational exposure among health care practitioners (HCPs) around the globe. One of the risk factors of HIV infection among HCPs is occupational exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection through blood or fluid from HIV-infected individual. Therefore, because of this prevalence, there is a need to have sufficient knowledge and information regarding post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Sufficient PEP knowledge assists individuals in utilising PEP in case of exposure to HIV.

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Knowledge and attitudes of non-occupational HIV post-exposure prophylaxis amongst first- and second-year medical students at Stellenbosch University in South Africa

Cited by 5 publications

References 13 publications

What do patients consulting in a free sexual health center know about HIV transmission and post-exposure prophylaxis?

What do patients consulting in a free sexual health center know about HIV transmission and post-exposure prophylaxis?

Social representations of the prevention of heterosexual transmission of HIV among young Africans from five countries, 1997-2014

Healthcare practitioners and students’ PEP knowledge, attitude and adherence in Southern Africa

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