Abstract
Introduction: The HIV/AIDS pandemic still ranks one of the foremost causes of death in developing world. The present prevalence of HIV/AIDS is 5.0% for Sub-Saharan Africa and the Nigerian figure is 3.01%. The rate of infection of a previously non-infected individual in this sub-region is set at 160,000 individuals daily. With such a high prevalence, it of importance that caregivers and particularly medical doctors arm themselves with sufficient knowledge of postexposure prophylaxis.Design: Cross sectional descriptive study.Participants: The study took place among 81 doctors in a tertiary health institute in Nigeria, the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.Methodology: A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to the subjects using a random sampling method. These questionnaires highlighted their departments, ages and ranks. Their levels of knowledge and indications for PEP as well as their attitudes to this procedure using a modification of the Likert Attitude Scale were also assessed. There were 15 attitude parameters and each attracted a maximum score of 5 points with a total of 75 points. Respondents were scored and the attitude scores were graded thus; negative attitude - <35 points; bare positive – 36 – 50 points; positive – 51 – 65 points; super-positive - >65 points. The subjects were also given an opportunity to suggest ways of improving on the practice of PEP in their various practices.Results: This showed that the knowledge of PEP was satisfactory, however only about half of the respondents mentioned specific indications for PEP. The doctors’ source of information about PEP was also too medically oriented and not broadminded enough for his position as the decision maker / head of the medical team. Respondents attitude towards PEP was positive and very important suggestions were made for better implementation of PEP.Conclusion: The knowledge of PEP is satisfactory in UCTH, Calabar and issues that need to be addressed in our practice border on of information dissemination and measures aimed at increasing the awareness of PEP in our society.KEYWORDS: Knowledge, Attitude, Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of post-exposure prophylaxis to HIV
Highlights
The HIV/AIDS pandemic still ranks one of the foremost causes of death in developing world
The broad implications of the daily rate of infection is two pronged; firstly, there will be an increasing need to offer a wide range of services by the Health Care Worker (HCW) to the People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA)
Medical science is a very dynamic body of knowledge and with it’s growth comes an even greater demand for more specialized services for patients. This poses a great concern for the health care worker (HCW) who is at an ever increasing risk of exposure to HIV/AIDS. (Stephens et al, 2004)
Summary
The HIV/AIDS pandemic still ranks one of the foremost causes of death in developing world. The broad implications of the daily rate of infection is two pronged; firstly, there will be an increasing need to offer a wide range of services by the Health Care Worker (HCW) to the People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). This would lead to an increased risk of occupational exposure (O'Brien, 1998; Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 2008 and Denise et al, 1999) when there is a breach of infection prevention protocol. These attendant risks lead to stigmatization of the PLHWA and may result in the delivery of sub - optimal care and support for these patients. (Steward et al, 2008)
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