Awareness and knowledge of human immunodeficiency virus post exposure prophylaxis among Nigerian Family Physicians

Abstract

Background:To determine the level of awareness and knowledge of HIV postexposure prophylaxis (HIV PEP) and determinants of adequate knowledge among Family Physicians in Nigeria.Materials and Methods:This was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey conducted among 175 Family Physicians at two national conferences.Results:Majority (97.7%) of the respondents was aware of the concept of HIV PEP and 99.4% believed it was effective in preventing HIV transmission. Over two third of our respondents had been exposed to NSI; however, less than 25% of those exposed received PEP. There was high level of knowledge of the various high-risk body fluids as well as types of high-risk exposures. 93.9% of our respondents knew that HIV PEP should commence within 1 h of exposure, 83.3% knew the correct duration of HIV PEP, but only 57.0% knew the ideal PEP regimen for high-risk exposures. The total mean score for our respondents was 17.8±2.9 with 79.4% having an adequate score. Being a junior doctor and male sex were associated with adequate knowledge.Conclusion:This study shows that despite high levels of awareness and knowledge of HIV PEP, access to its use among family physicians in Nigeria is still sub-optimal.

Needle stick injuries and awareness towards post exposure prophylaxis for HIV among private general practitioners of Davangere city

“…16 In the present study most of the participants had NSI while recapping the needle and similar finding was observed in the study conducted by Yousafzai et al and bayappa reddy N et al 17,19 In the present study the most common factor influenced NSI was hasty work and similar finding was observed in the study conducted by Bayappa Reddy N et al 17 In our study all private practitioners had heard of HIV post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and almost similar finding was observed by Patricia A et al (98%). 18 Our study observation is higher than the other studies conducted by C Ooi et al (68%) and Biniam Mathewos et al (48%). 20,21 In the present study 81% told HIV (PEP) is effective in preventing HIV transmission, which is lower than study conducted by Patricia A et al (99.4%).…”

“…16,17 In a study conducted by Patricia A et al, 69.4% of the respondents reported history of needle stick injuries. 18 In the present study 47% had needle stick injury only once which is higher than the study conducted by yousafzai et al (26.7%) and lower than study conducted by fullerton et al (75.6%). 16,19 In the present study 42% had 2-5 times in the last one year and which is lower than study conducted by fullerton et al (21.9%).…”

“…20,21 In the present study 81% told HIV (PEP) is effective in preventing HIV transmission, which is lower than study conducted by Patricia A et al (99.4%). 18 It is higher than study conducted by Biniam Mathewos et al (60.5%). 21 In our study 55% respondents correctly identified the risk of transmission of HIV from a NSI to be around three per 1000 injuries and similar finding was observed by Patricia A et al 18 Regarding knowledge of various high risk body fluids for HIV transmission, the following proportions were obtained for correct identification of the following body fluids as high risk for HIV transmission: breast milk 93%, peritoneal fluid 69% and 19% incorrectly identified urine, saliva and faeces respectively as high-risk fluids for HIV transmission and almost similar finding was observed by Patricia et al 18 49% and 39% identified mucous membrane exposure and percutaneous injuries were high-risk exposures for HIV transmission respectively.…”

“…20 In our study 31% answered correctly the ideal HIV-PEP regimen following high risk needle stick injury and similar finding was observed by patracia et al (32.7%). 18 In present study 71% answered correctly the duration of HIV-PEP which is lower than study conducted by Patracia et al 18 91% told HIV-PEP should be administered for accidental non-occupational exposure to HIV which is higher than study conducted by Patracia et al (61%). 18 In the present study 8% had accidental exposure to HIV which is lower than study conducted by Getahun Kebede Beyera et al (Of 162 HCWs) and study conducted by Biniam Mathewos et al (33.8%).…”

“…17,18 In the study conducted by C Ooi et al 24.6% were aware of the 72 hour time restrictions. 20 In our study 31% answered correctly the ideal HIV-PEP regimen following high risk needle stick injury and similar finding was observed by patracia et al (32.7%).…”