Knowledge, Attitudes And Utilization Of HIV Post Exposure Prophylaxis Among Health Workers In Alebtong District .

Abstract

Introduction: The World Health Report (2002) estimates that 2.5% of HIV cases among health care workers worldwide are the result of occupational exposure. The distribution of exposures to blood borne pathogens among different cadre of HCWs show that nurses are the most frequently exposed HCWs to blood borne fluids. An estimated 3 million percutaneous exposures amongst HWs occur every year resulting in 200 to 5000 HIV infections, with over 90% occurring in low-resource countries where HWs suffer two to four needle-stick injuries per year.

Objective: the main aim of the study was to assess knowledge, attitude and utilization of HIV PEP among health workers in Alebtong district Study design: The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional study design to assess knowledge, attitude and utilization of HIV PEP among health workers in Alebtong district, a total of 85 health workers using purposive and convenient sampling were interviewed with a pre-testing semi-structured questionnaires.

Results: from the study, the level of utilization of PEP was at 38.9% with 71.4% of them completing the PEP dose while 25.1% of the health workers were exposed to needle stick injury. The significant factors that were found out included; level of health facility and availability of PEP at the health facility. 52.9% strongly agreed that everyone should have access to PEP while 51.8% strongly agreed that PEP can reduce the likelihood of HIV infection.

Conclusion: The level of utilization of PEP among exposed health workers was low at 38.9%, the level of knowledge was moderate so is the attitude towards PEP. We therefore recommended that an urgent need for policy makers in the health sector to put in place programs that will rapidly scale up PEP services in health care settings, so that avoidable occupationally acquired HIV infection can be prevented among the health care providers.