Awareness of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis of HIV Among Health Care Personnel in Asella Teaching Hospital, Asella Town, South-East Ethiopia, 2014: Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Post-exposure prophylaxis is short-term antiretroviral or immune globulin treatment to reduce the likelihood of viral infection after exposure to the blood or body fluids of an infected person. Timely post-exposure prophylaxis after needle stick exposure to high risk body fluids in work area can reduce the rate of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus significantly. Methods: This institution based cross sectional study was conducted in purposively selected 251 health personnel. Structured questionnaire which was adapted from similar study conducted in Addis Ababa city was used to collect data. Data was analyzed using chi-square test. Ethical clearance was obtained from Addis Ababa University, College of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing and Midwifery. Results: From the total study participants 88.8% respondents had information about post-exposure prophylaxis and 85.7% know presence of post-exposure prophylaxis in their hospital. In addition to that 48.2% respondents responded correctly to the use of post-exposure prophylaxis. From the study participants almost half of the non-health professionals didn’t know about post-exposure prophylaxis. Conclusion: Out of the total respondents, majority of them had good level of awareness about post exposure prophylaxis.