Attitude towards post-exposure prophylaxis among clinical officer students in Kampala School of Health Sciences, Wakiso District. A cross-sectional study.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51168/06ph1e32Keywords:
Attitude, Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, Clinical Officer StudentsAbstract
Background
Early administration of a short course of ART (as PEP for 28days) reduces the risk of HIV transmission by 81%. The study aims to assess the attitude towards Post Exposure Prophylaxis among clinical officer students in Kampala School of Health Sciences, Wakiso district.
The study employed across sectional study design with a simple random sampling technique. Data was collected on a sample size of 50 respondents using semi-structured questionnaires written in the English language with open and closed-ended questions. Data analysis was done manually using tally sheets, pens, and paper, and entered in excel computer program and presented in tables and figures.
Results
More than half (56%) of the respondents were males, (44%) were females. All of the respondents (100%) agreed that PEP is important. (87%) believed that training on PEP is important for behavioural change. Regarding whether respondents believed that there should be PEP guidelines in work areas, all (100%) believed that they should be there. (90%) believed that PEP can reduce the likelihood of being diseased after exposure, (10%) didn’t know whether it can reduce the likelihood or not. (90%) agreed that PEP is not important if the exposure is not with the blood of a patient with known HIV positive, whereas the least of the respondents (10%) were not sure.
Conclusions
The study revealed that study participants had a reasonable attitude towards post-exposure prophylaxis, as all the respondents agreed that PEP is important.
Recommendations
The Ministry of Health should make sure that there are PEP guidelines in the workplaces where students do their practicum, since all respondents had a positive attitude towards them, and hence can guide the respondents in case of an exposure.
References
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Copyright (c) 2026 Lovinsa Nakasolya, Prosper Mubangizi (Author)
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