1Assistant Professor, Dept of Community Medicine, Shimoga Institute of Medical Sciences, Shimoga
2Professor, Dept of Community Medicine, Shimoga Institute of Medical Sciences, Shimoga
Online published on 13 January, 2015.
One of the serious problems of health care workers today is the risk of occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens. WHO has estimated that about 4.4% of HIV cases among health service providers worldwide are result of occupational exposure. According to WHO nurses are the group most at risk in any health care establishment.
To assess the awareness about Post Exposure Prophylaxis among nursing students.
To make necessary recommendations.
Study Design: Questionnaire based cross-sectional study. Duration of study: September 1st to 30th, 2009. Participants: 208 Bsc nursing students of Bapuji College of nursing, Davangere. Statistical test: Proportions. Materials & methods: A pre-designed and pre-tested, multiple response type questionnaire was used to collect the data for the study.
Only 56% of nursing students were aware of all infectious fluids. 36% of 2nd year students, 56% of 3rd year students, 43% of 4th year students knew the common mode of accidental exposure. 53% of nursing students knew when post exposure prophylaxis should start. 52% of nursing students were aware of what measure should be taken after an accidental exposure.
The awareness about pre and post exposure prophylaxis is less among study subjects. Because of this low level of awareness these young nurses are at increased risk of occupational exposure to deadly infection like HIV/AIDS.
Post exposure prophylaxis, nursing students, awareness
