KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE ABOUT POST EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS FOR HIV IN UNDERGRADUATE CLINIC ATTENDING MEDICAL AND NURSING STUDENTS

Dr. Shreya Vora, *Dr. Hemangini R. Acharya, Dr. Manish J. Barvaliyan, Dr. Aditya Gajera and Dr. C. B. Tripathi

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Occupational exposure of blood and other body fluids in health profession causes increase risk of HIV and other blood borne disease. Adequate knowledge and practice in health care provider about Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV having crucial role to prevent HIV infection. The present study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practice about PEP for HIV in clinic attending medical and nursing students. Method: The study questionnaire regarding PEP was given to 218 medical and 217 clinic attending medical and nursing students. Their responses were evaluated for adequacy of knowledge, attitude towards occupational exposure and post exposure prophylaxis. Result: 85.5% students heard about PEP and main source of information was formal education. 94.9% nursing students and 96.3% medical students stated needle stick injury as a risk of HIV infection. 35.8% medical and 16.6% nursing students provided ≥ 75% correct responses. Overall attitude of both medical and nursing students was positive towards prevention of occupational exposure and receiving PEP after needle stick injury. 8% students exposed to accidental risk of HIV infection. Conclusion: 26% clinic attending medical and nursing students had adequate knowledge towards PEP. Adequate knowledge was more in medical students than nursing students (35.8 vs. 16.6%). Medical students were having more awareness towards theoretical aspects and nursing students were having more awareness for practical aspects of PEP for HIV.

Keywords: HIV, KAP study, Medical students, Post Exposure Prophylaxis.