Knowledge, Attitude and Utilization of HIV Post Exposure Prophylaxis among Health-Care Workers in a Teaching Hospital in Enugu State, South East Nigeria

Background: It is impossible to overstate the significance of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Post-exposure Prophylaxis (HIV PEP), which has demonstrably reduced the risk of getting the fatal disease Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). It is crucial for the public health to understand the effects of an HIV infection in a health care worker (HCW). Because of the risks associated with their jobs, these HCWs are more likely to contract an infection.

Aim: The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and utilization of HIV PEP among health care workers in Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), Parklane, Enugu State.

Methodology: This study was a descriptive, cross-sectional study. The sample size was 204 HCWs and 200 questionnaires were returned for analysis. The sample was selected by stratified sampling technique. The data was analyzed using statistical packaged for social science (SPSS).

Results: The study revealed that majority of the respondents were within the age range of 26-30and 31-35 years (24.5% each). Majority (65.6%) were married and most (44.0%) were nurses. About 89% have heard of HIV PEP. Almost forty-three percent (42.5%) have been accidentally exposed to needle stick injury before but only 39% reported. Even a less percentage (21%) went ahead to take PEP.

Conclusion: The study concluded that most of the correspondents were aware of HIV PEP but only a few deemed it necessary to practice what they know. Therefore, there is a great need for health education on the right approach to HIV PEP in this institution and the general population. This will go a long way to help reduce the incidence of HIV infection and improve the utilization of HIV PEP among HCWs in ESUTH.