Knowledge, attitude and practice of Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection post-exposure prophylaxis among resident doctors in a tertiary hospital, Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

Infection with HIV is an occupational risk to health care workers, especially doctors, during treatment of patients. HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is effective in preventing potential HIV infection following accidental exposure. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge,  attitude and practice of HIV post-exposure prophylaxis among resident doctors at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH). A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 187 resident doctors at UBTH. Using a self- administered questionnaire, data was collected on socio demographic characteristics, attitude, and practice of HIV-PEP. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyzed data. Majority (66%) of respondents had good knowledge of HIV-PEP. Ninety five percent agreed they wound recommend HIV-PEP, 85% reported they would take PEP if accidentally exposed; 10.2% reported history of accidental exposure; and 47.4% of exposed  respondents took PEP. Reasons for not taking PEP included lack of information about existing HIV-PEP policy and fear of stigmatization. The respondents had good knowledge of HIV-PEP, but poor practice. Thus, there is the need to reinforce education and training of doctors and other
healthcare workers on HIV-PEP. Health care policy makers and employee should create more awareness by public display of HIV-PEP protocol and guidelines in the work place.

Key words: HIV, Post-exposure prophylaxis, Attitude, Knowledge, Practice, Health care workers.