Abstract:
Background:-Healthcare workers are at risk of being infected with the human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV). Even if the risk of acquiring HIV due to needle stick injury and body fluid exposure
is low (0.3%), it can create in health care facilities fear and insecurity , which can adversely
impact patient care. HIV PEP plays an important role in preventing occupational exposure to HIV
infection by 81%.
Objective:-To assess the KAP of HIV Post Exposure Prophylaxis use among health professionals
of Government Hospitals in Addis Ababa
Methods:-A cross-sectional study was carried out among 396 health professionals working In
Addis Ababa at five government Hospitals. Population proportion sampling was used to select the
required study samples from each profession. Quantitative data collection methods were applied.
Pre tests were conducted and structured self administered questionnaire was used to collect the
data. Percentage, frequencies and compost score index was computed using SPSS version 17 for
windows.
Result:-Three hundred ninety six health professionals participated in the study and response rate
of 93.6%. Among a total of 396 health professionals, only 23.87 % had good knowledge, 59.51%
had fair knowledge, the rest 16.92% had poor knowledge about HIV PEP. Three hundred thirty
eight (87.79%) of respondents were willing to take PEP service from their respective hospitals. On
the other hand, 12.20% are not willing due to their belief that PEP is not helpful to prevent HIV
infection and for fear of the service confidentiality system .In addition, only 67.45% were
preferred to take the service from their respective health facility. About 67.27 % of health
professionals utilized HIV PEP treatment. Nineteen( 54.28%) utilized HIV PEP after exposed to
needle stick injury , Among 37 HIV PEP users 13.5% didn’t complete the regime due to the
drug side effect.
Conclusion and Recommendation: - From the study it can be concluded that, Knowledge of
health professionals about HIV PEP were inadequate. Thus, standard and on going awareness
creation strategy has to be designed and effort has to be made to establish appropriate confidential
PEP service with in the hospitals.
