Comparative effects of educational intervention on knowledge, attitude and practice regarding HIV/AIDS among hospital orderlies in two Tertiary Hospitals

Abstract

Background: HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) pandemic is a major challenge that health care workers are faced with because of increased risk of infection. Despite the high risk of HIV infection among nursing assistants, less attention is currently paid to training this cadre of hospital staff to reduce the risk of infection. Objective: To assess the effect of educational intervention on knowledge, attitude and practice about HIV/AIDS among hospital orderlies in two tertiary facilities in Ogun State, South-west, Nigeria. Methods: The study was a quasi-experimental, non-randomized, controlled group design which was conducted in three phases; a pre-intervention evaluation, immediate post-intervention evaluation and another evaluation three months post-intervention. Hospital orderlies were recruited (108 from the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu (OOUTH) as intervention group and 112 orderlies from the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Abeokuta as controls). Results: Significant increase in the knowledge, attitude and practice of the intervention group determined by percentage score was recorded immediately after the training. In the control group, there was a decline in the attitudinal score but an insignificant increase in the knowledge and practice of HIV prevention. Three months post-intervention, further increase in the knowledge score and attitudinal score in the intervention group respectively compared to the pre-test scores ( 83.3% vs. 99.1% and 94.4% vs. 96.3%) were recorded. Conclusion: The study showed good knowledge of HIV and AIDS which further improved after the educational intervention. Therefore, the need for continuous training for the hospital orderlies is germane.