Volume : 5, Issue : 4, April - 2016

A study to assess the level of knowledge regarding Post Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV infection among nursing students of a selected medical college

Maj Jilmy Anu Jose, Nc Madumita Nandi, Nc Seema Mehra, Nc Greeshma, Nc Jyothi K, Nc Neha Tiwari, Nc Kamlesh Verma

Abstract :

<p>&lt;p&gt;&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;&amp;amp;nbsp;Background : Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has an estimated adult prevalence of 0.31 in India. Health care workers are exposed to HIV as a result of needle stick and sharp injuries. Post exposure prophylaxis is a necessary secondary prevention measure in health care settings, since there will always be rare instances in which primary prevention fail and health care workers may be accidentally or through unsafe procedures be exposed to the risk of HIV transmission. Objectives : Objectives of the study were to assess the level of knowledge regarding PEP among nursing students. Methods : A cross sectional study was conducted in Feb 2014 using a structured questionnaire among 45 nursing students of a selected medical college. Structured questionnaire included demographic data and knowledge questionnaire on PEP. Knowledge was scored into four groups of excellent, good, average and poor. Sample was selected by computer based random sampling technique and questionnaire administered to 45 students after taking informed consent. Results : A total of 45 samples were selected. Maximum samples i.e.75.5% were in age group of 20-25 years. The educational qualification of the samples highlights that 84% has 10+2 as a basic qualification and remaining 16 % were graduates. The researchers included 2nd year, 3rd year and 4th year BSc nursing students and found that the level of knowledge increases with the year of experience. The study revealed that 2.3% had an occupational exposure but did not report as they were afraid to do the same. Study also revealed that 46.6% had good knowledge, 40% had average knowledge, 13.4% samples had poor knowledge. The mean knowledge score of sample was 11.5 with SD +/- 2.16. Out of total,91.1% of samples were aware of risk of acquiring HIV infection on occupational exposure of blood. Out of 45 samples only 15 were aware about percentage chance (probability) of acquiring HIV after getting exposed to a needle stick injury from HIV positive individual.&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;&lt;/p&gt;</p>