Journal of Community Medicine & Health Education
Open Access

Abstract

Health care workers, especially who deal with large number of HIV infected patients are at risk of becoming infected with HIV as a result of their professional activities. This study assessed health workers? prevention of exposure to HIV infection during the course of their duties in HIV/AIDS clinic at secondary health facilities in Abuja, Nigeria. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 323 health workers using the random sampling technique. The instrument measured socio-demographic variables, knowledge of HIV/AIDS infection and transmission, precautionary measures adopted and post-exposure prophylaxis. Data were analysed electronically. Statistical significance was placed at p<0.05. More than three-fifth (62.2%) of the respondents were nurses while only 21% of respondent were doctor. Nearly all of the respondents knew the various methods of transmission of HIV/AID infection. Eighty eight respondents (26.0%) recapped their needles and other sharps while fourty-one percent of the health workers kept their sharps in the dust bin. Forty one percent of health workers reported ever had facilities for post-exposure prophylaxis in their hospital. Forty-three percent of the health workers who had been exposed reported their exposure immediately whereas forty percent of them did not receive any treatment despite reporting their exposure. This study concluded that a high percentage of the health workers in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja were at risk of HIV/AID infection and transmission due to failure to follow the recommended universal precautions, report exposure and lack of facilities for post-exposure prophylaxis in the health facilities.

Biography

Ajao Kayode Olusola holds a Master of Public health and Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor Surgery from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. He was also trained as a food scientist at Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria. He successfully served as a Programme Officer on Research and Knowledge Management for Population and Reproductive Health Programme, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife supported by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, USA. He is currently a doctoral student at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He has a considerable experience in planning and implementing research and health programs.