KAP OF HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ON HIV POST-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS USE IN ADDIS ABABA AT FIVE GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS

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.