ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICE OF POST-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN A TERTIARY HOSPITAL, SOUTH-EAST, NIGERIA

Cornelius Nwozor*, Kosisochukwu Ifemenam, Echezona Chikelueze, Onyedika Chukwuemeka, Dennis Adinnu, Cynthia Iwuamadi and Henry Enwelum

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ABSTRACT

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) among healthcare workers (medical doctors,
nurses, medical/clinical students, and medical laboratory scientist) at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu
University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) were investigated. It was a descriptive, cross sectional study using semi
structured questionnaires (217) which were distributed to the healthcare workers. Ethical approval was obtained.
Results showed that 121 (55.76 %) of the participating healthcare workers were medical (clinical) students, 32
(14.75 %) were medical doctors, 45 (20.74 %) were nurses, 10 (4.61 %) were pharmacists, and 9 (4.15 %) were
laboratory scientists. Males were 136 (62.67 %) while females were 81 (37.33 %). Those with 10 or more years of
experience were 27 (12.44 %), 34 (15.67 %) had 5 to 9 years’ experience, while 156 (71.89 %) had less than 5
years’ experience. 78 (35.9%) of the 217 respondents were exposed to HIV. The result of the study showed a high
awareness and positive attitude towards PEP. The practice of PEP was fair and needs improvement. PEP services
and information should be made available to healthcare workers. This will help address the issue of occupational
exposure to HIV and other blood-borne pathogens.

Keywords: HIV, healthcare workers, practice, PEP, questionnaires.