Knowledge, attitude and practices of staffs towards Post-exposure Prophylaxis for HIV infection at Mulago Hospital in Uganda

Abstract

The use of anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) drugs after occupational exposure to HIV is a proven method of preventing some HIV infection and there is record that these drugs are being used in treatment of post exposure infection to HIV. This then raises the issues of the impact of such treatment on the staffs. The objective of the study was to asses the level of knowledge attitudes and practices of (PEP) against HIV among surgical staffs. 190 questionnaires were sent to staffs in the department of surgery but One twenty nine (68%) was returned. Questionnaires contained items related to awareness of occupational exposure to HIV and 0.77% had experience of its use in the department and 100% noted that there was no specific policy in relation to PEP in the Surgery Department at mulago Hospital. In relation to attitude staff believe strongly that PEP reduces risks to HIV infection but were also not willing to test for HIV after exposure.