Determinants of Appropriate Knowledge on Human Immunodeficiency Virus Postexposure Prophylaxis Among Professional Health-care Workers in Sokoto, Nigeria

Overview

Journal J Family Med Prim Care

Specialty Public Health

Date 2018 Aug 10

PMID 30090775

Citations 3

Authors

Oche Mansur Oche

Abubakar Sadiq Umar

Godwin Jiya Gana

Nneka Christina Okafoagu

Remi Abiola Oladigbolu

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: The prevention of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV/AIDS) among health-care workers (HCWs) has remained a major topical issue worldwide. Accidental transmission of HIV infection to HCWs during occupational exposure is a real threat today. The study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) among HCWs in a tertiary health institution in Sokoto, Northwestern Nigeria.

Methodology: The study was carried out at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, through a cross-sectional descriptive study design; a total of 156 participants were recruited using a stratified sampling technique. Data were collected using a semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS computer software after obtaining ethical clearance from the Health Ethics and Research Committee of the teaching hospital.

Results: A total of 87.2% (136) of the respondents had heard of PEP and 71.8% (112) thought that HIV/AIDs could be prevented through PEP. A total of 71.2% (111) had good knowledge about PEP, whereas 86.8% (118) had a positive attitude toward PEP.

Conclusion: Although the study demonstrated high knowledge and positive attitude toward PEP, the observance of safety measures against needlestick injuries that could result in HIV infections was abysmally low. There is the need to create more awareness and strengthen the use of PEP protocol by all cadres of health workers as this will go a long way in minimizing blood-borne infections.

Citing Articles

Occupational post-exposure prophylaxis among healthcare workers: a scoping review of factors affecting optimal utilization.

Auerbach J, Malone S, Forsyth A J Int AIDS Soc. 2024; 27(8):e26341.

PMID: 39155429 PMC: 11330849. DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26341.

Occupational Exposure to Blood and Body Fluids and Knowledge of HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis among Medical and Allied Health Students in Northern Nigeria.

Iliyasu B, Amole T, Galadanci H, Abdullahi S, Iliyasu Z, Aliyu M Int J Occup Environ Med. 2020; 11(4):196-209.

PMID: 33098404 PMC: 7740050. DOI: 10.34172/ijoem.2020.2094.

HIV Non-Occupational Post Exposure Prophylaxis in Nigeria: A Systematic Review of Research Evidence and Practice.

Iloanusi S, Mgbere O, Abughosh S, Essien E Int J MCH AIDS. 2019; 8(2):101-119.

PMID: 31803532 PMC: 6886157. DOI: 10.21106/ijma.287.

References

Alam M . Knowledge, attitude and practices among health care workers on needle-stick injuries. Ann Saudi Med. 2006; 22(5-6):396-9. DOI: 10.5144/0256-4947.2002.396. View

Sadoh W, Fawole A, Sadoh A, Oladimeji A, Sotiloye O . Practice of universal precautions among healthcare workers. J Natl Med Assoc. 2006; 98(5):722-6. PMC: 2569287. View

Russi M, Buitrago M, Goulet J, Calello D, Perlotto J, van Rhijn D . Antiretroviral prophylaxis of health care workers at two urban medical centers. J Occup Environ Med. 2000; 42(11):1092-100. DOI: 10.1097/00043764-200011000-00011. View

Owolabi R, Alabi P, Ajayi S, Daniel O, Ogundiran A, Akande T . Knowledge and practice of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) against HIV infection among health care providers in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. J Int Assoc Physicians AIDS Care (Chic). 2011; 11(3):179-83. DOI: 10.1177/1545109711401409. View

Chogle N, Chogle M, Divatia J, Dasgupta D . Awareness of post-exposure prophylaxis guidelines against occupational exposure to HIV in a Mumbai hospital. Natl Med J India. 2002; 15(2):69-72. View

Lee R . Occupational transmission of bloodborne diseases to healthcare workers in developing countries: meeting the challenges. J Hosp Infect. 2009; 72(4):285-91. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2009.03.016. View

Kermode M, Jolley D, Langkham B, Thomas M, Crofts N . Occupational exposure to blood and risk of bloodborne virus infection among health care workers in rural north Indian health care settings. Am J Infect Control. 2005; 33(1):34-41. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2004.07.015. View

Twitchell K . Bloodborne pathogens. What you need to know--Part II. AAOHN J. 2003; 51(2):89-97; quiz 98-9. View

Twitchell K . Bloodborne pathogens. What you need to know--Part I. AAOHN J. 2003; 51(1):38-45; quiz 46-7. View

10.

Ajibola S, Akinbami A, Elikwu C, Odesanya M, Uche E . Knowledge, attitude and practices of HIV post exposure prophylaxis amongst health workers in Lagos University Teaching Hospital. Pan Afr Med J. 2015; 19:172. PMC: 4366120. DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2014.19.172.4718. View

11.

Kumar R, Mohan N, Seenu V, Kumar A, Nandi M, Sarma R . Knowledge, attitude and practices towards HIV among nurses in a tertiary care teaching hospital: two decades after the discovery. J Commun Dis. 2004; 34(4):245-56. View

12.

Vaid N, Langan K, Maude R . Post-exposure prophylaxis in resource-poor settings: review and recommendations for pre-departure risk assessment and planning for expatriate healthcare workers. Trop Med Int Health. 2013; 18(5):588-95. DOI: 10.1111/tmi.12080. View

13.

Mathewos B, Birhan W, Kinfe S, Boru M, Tiruneh G, Addis Z . Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice towards post exposure prophylaxis for HIV among health care workers in Gondar, North West Ethiopia. BMC Public Health. 2013; 13:508. PMC: 3664597. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-13-508. View

14.

Chen M, Fox E, Rogers C . Post-exposure prophylaxis for human immunodeficiency virus: knowledge and experience of junior doctors. Sex Transm Infect. 2001; 77(6):444-5. PMC: 1744409. DOI: 10.1136/sti.77.6.444. View