WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Dr. Shaymaa Hazim Mahmood Al_Bakri*, Saeb Jasim Al-Shuwaili, Haider Hekmat Jewaid Ataimish and Ansam Hussein Muhei Al-Agele

ABSTRACT

Background: HIV infection is a significant public health issue, resulting in the loss of numerous lives, including those of healthcare professionals. HCWs (healthcare workers), who are on the forefront, face a heightened susceptibility to acquiring the infection. The study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of healthcare workers about PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) for HIV. Methods: This is a cross sectional study that included 300 healthcare workers. A questionnaire based interview was employed as the data collection method. The questionnaire consisted of 3 sections evaluating each of knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding PEP. Results: Among the studied sample, 74 (24.7%) participants showed good knowledge, 127 (42.3%) had good attitude, and 91 (30.3%) showed good practice. Profession was found to a predictor of improved awareness, as the doctors and pharmacists had significantly better knowledge, attitude and practice than dentists and nurses. Conclusion: Based on the findings of the present study, there is a significant gap regarding the knowledge and implementation of prophylactic measures (especially PEP) against HIV occupational exposure. Therefore, it is essential to implement infection prevention and control training that is primarily focused on HIV prophylaxis in order to improve the demonstrated gap of knowledge.