Occupational exposure, attitude to HIV-positive patients and uptake of HIV counselling and testing among health care workers in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria

Abstract

Health care workers (HCWs) are at risk of occupational exposure to HIV. Their attitude to HIV-positive patients influences patients’ willingness and ability to access quality care. HIV counselling and testing (HCT) services are available to inform HCWs and patients about their status. There is little information about HCT uptake and attitude to HIV-positive patients among HCWs in tertiary health facilities in Nigeria. The aim of this study was to determine occupational exposure and attitude to HIV-positive patients and level of uptake of HCT services among HCWs in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. A cross-sectional design was utilized. A total of 977 HCWs were surveyed using semi-structured, self-administered questionnaires. Nurses and doctors comprised 78.2% of the respondents. Their mean age was 35 ± 8.4 years. Almost half, 47.0%, reported accidental exposure to blood and body fluids (BBFs) in the preceding year. The main predictor of accidental exposure to BBFs in the last year was working in a surgical department, OR = 1.7, 95% CI (1.1–2.6). HCWs aged <40 years, OR = 5.5, 95% CI (1.9–15.9), who had worked for >5 years, OR = 3.6, 95% CI (1.4–9.3) and who work in nursing department, OR = 6.8, 95% CI (1.7–27.1) were more likely to be exposed to BBFs. Almost half, 52.9%, had accessed HCT services. Predictors for HCT uptake were age <40 years OR = 1.6, 95% CI (1.1–2.4), having worked for >5 years OR = 1.5, 95% CI (1.03–2.2) and working in medical department OR = 1.7, 95% CI (1.1–2.8). Respondents in nursing departments were more likely to require routine HIV test for all patients, OR = 3.9, 95% CI (2.4–6.2). HCWs in the laboratory departments were more likely to believe that HIV patients should be on separate wards, OR = 3.6, 95% CI (1.9–7.0). HCWs should be protected and encouraged to access HCT services in order to be effective role models in the prevention of HIV/AIDS.

Acceptability and correlates of HIV self-testing among university students in northern Nigeria

“…Similarly, the effect of ethnicity on willingness to self-test could be related to cultural practices that increase the risk of HIV. The willingness of clinical students to self-test has been reported elsewhere 52 and could be due to better knowledge, skills, 53 and perception of risk of sexual exposure.…”

The Occupational Health of Nurses in the Economic Community of West African States: A Review of the Literature

“…Sixteen papers were included in the final review (Table 1). Twelve papers examined nurses’ occupational health in Nigeria (Abiola et al, 2016; Adinma, Ezeama, Adinma, & Asuzu, 2009; Amira & Awobusuyi, 2014; Arinze-Onyia, Ndu, Aguwa, Modebe, & Nwamoh, 2018; Egwuenu & Okanlawon, 2014; Enwere & Diwe, 2014; Iliyasu et al, 2016; Isara & Ofili, 2010; Ogoina et al, 2014; Olatunji, Adejumo, & Adejumo, 2009; Omorogbe, Omuemu, & Isara, 2012; Onadeko, Balogun, Onigbogi, & Omokhodion, 2017). Of the remaining four studies, three were from Ghana (Konlan, Aarah-Bapuah, Kombat, & Wuffele, 2017; Lori, McCullagh, Krueger, & Oteng, 2016; Yawson & Hesse, 2013) and one was from Sierra Leone (Kingham, Kamara, Daoh, Kabbia, & Kushner, 2009).…”

“…Four studies focused on knowledge, attitudes, or practices pertinent to injection safety (Amira & Awobusuyi, 2014; Enwere & Diwe, 2014; Lori et al, 2016; Omorogbe et al, 2012). One examined a variety of behaviors of health care providers specifically in the context of caring for patients with HIV (Onadeko et al, 2017). All but one survey used self-administered questionnaires: Omorogbe et al (2012) used an interviewer-administered questionnaire as well as an observational checklist.…”

“…Nine studies examined how HCWs responded after an exposure to biological hazards (Amira & Awobusuyi, 2014; Enwere & Diwe, 2014; Iliyasu et al, 2016; Konlan et al, 2017; Lori et al, 2016; Olatunji et al, 2009; Omorogbe et al, 2012; Onadeko et al, 2017; Yawson & Hesse, 2013). Olatunji et al (2009) examined PEP specifically in the context of caring for patients with HIV.…”

The profile of health care utilization among HIV/AIDS patients in Iran from 1987 to 2016: A nationwide study

“…It has been shown that importance of the attitude, knowledge and behaviors of HCWs on the provision of health care services to patients, and patients willingness and ability to access care. 12,21 Three studies in southern Italy, Nigeria and Taiwan on the assessment of the attitudes of HCWs towards serving PLWHA showed that providing education to enhance the knowledge of HCWs reduced their anxiety caused by exposure to the disease and increased the quality of health care services. 12,22,23 Therefore, Planning for relevant continuing education of HIV/AIDS to all HCWs can have a significant impact on the improvement of patients' access to health care services.…”