Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Hospital Workers Towards Usage of HIV Post Exposure Prohylaxis at China-Uganda Friendship Hospital Kampala.

Abstract

Background: HIV is a major health problem with a geographical distribution worldwide and this poses a risk of occupational exposures to health care workers. This led to introduction of HIV PEP to reduce the development of HIV; ignorance of this may increase the sero conversion to HIV to health care workers.

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of hospital workers towards HIV PEP at CUFH, Kampala Uganda

Method: A descriptive cross sectional study was employed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of hospital workers towards HIV PEP at CUFH. A total of 102 hospital workers from the hospital were included in this study using non probability, convenient sampling technique. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect data and data was entered into SPSS v.16 then transferred to Ms excel and analyzed using SPSS.v.16

Result: From the assessment done majority of the respondents 94.1% (96) were aware about usage of HIV PEP but despite that, respondents still had inadequate knowledge on what they understood by HIV PEP and only 2% (2) of the respondents knew the correct time of initiation of HIV PEP after occupational exposure. Majority of the respondents 94.1% (96) had high attitude towards usage of HIV PEP. However, there was a low practice on usage of HIV PEP among hospital workers as out of 63.7% (65) exposed to potentially infectious materials at high risk of contracting HIV 19.6% (20) took HIV PEP and only 2.9% (3) completed the duration of HIV PEP.

Conclusion: This study revealed a high knowledge and attitude of hospital workers towards usage of HIV PEP but despite that hospital workers practice of usage of HIV PEP was low