Abstract
BackgroundHIV/AIDS in resource-limited settings poses a high risk of occupational exposure to healthcare workers due to higher number of HIV infected patients. Hence, antiretroviral based post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV is very crucial. The aim of the study was to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of medical and Health science students on antiretroviral based HIV PEP in University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital (UOGCSH), Northwestern Ethiopia.MethodsAn institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 220 medical and health science graduating students in UOGCSH from May to July 2015. Data were collected using a self-administered pretested questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software version 22. Results were summarized in frequencies, percentages, and means with standard deviations and presented using tables or figures.ResultsAmong the respondents, only sixty-six (30%) of the 220 study participants has had adequate knowledge about HIV PEP. Furthermore, over 90 % of the students had positive attitude towards HIV PEP f. Out of the total respondents, 37/220 (16.8%) were in need of HIV PEP and of these students only 18/37 (48.6%) took PEP. On the other hand, merely 50% of the study subjects completed the full course of HIV PEP, while the rest 50% failed to finish. As to the respondents self-report, the sole reason for starting but failing to complete the full course of HIV PEP was intolerance to the side effects of antiretroviral.ConclusionsAlthough majority of the respondents had poor knowledge and practice, they owned a good attitude towards HIV PEP. Therefore, a pre-service intensive training for all students regarding HIV PEP prior to their clinical attachments is mandatory. In addition, potential side effects of ARTs and its managements should be priory informed to the students so as to prevent the associated non-adherence to ultimately reduce the incidence of drug resistance. Moreover, the habit of needle stick injury reporting was found to be poor that needs due improvement and there has been also a pressing need to supply sufficient protective barriers to the students while planning and rendering services.
Highlights
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/AIDS in resource-limited settings poses a high risk of occupational exposure to healthcare workers due to higher number of HIV infected patients
Ethiopia is among the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries with approximately 800,000 people living with HIV/AIDS
Healthcare provision, especially in resource-limited settings with profound infectious diseases burden including HIV/AIDS poses a high risk of occupational exposure to Healthcare Workers (HCWs) via different routes
Summary
HIV/AIDS in resource-limited settings poses a high risk of occupational exposure to healthcare workers due to higher number of HIV infected patients. Antiretroviral based post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV is very crucial. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has significantly improved the management and prevention of HIV, early initiation of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) reduces the likelihood of sero-conversion of high risk exposure to HIV. A study showed that early administration of a short course of ART (as PEP for 28 days) reduces the risk of HIV transmission by 81% [2]. Healthcare provision, especially in resource-limited settings with profound infectious diseases burden including HIV/AIDS poses a high risk of occupational exposure to Healthcare Workers (HCWs) via different routes. Since the early 1990s, antiretroviral medicines such as Tenofovir with emtricitabine and protease inhibitors, or Zidovudine with lamivudine and protease inhibitors as alternative regimens were recommended as standard PEP for occupational exposure to HIV [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
