Knowledge and attitudes of non-occupational HIV post-exposure prophylaxis amongst first- and second-year medical students at Stellenbosch University in South Africa

摘要

Background: Human immunodeficiency?virus (HIV) infection is a worldwide problem, with 68% of?infected people residing in sub-Saharan Africa. Antiretroviral therapy is used as post-exposure prophylaxis?(PEP) to prevent infection in cases of occupational exposure, and use has recently been expanded to nonoccupational exposure. Studies have demonstrated a lack of awareness of non-occupational PEP (NOPEP) in the general population.Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge and attitudes towards availability of, access to and?use of NO-PEP amongst first- and second-year medical students.Setting: Participants were medical undergraduates of Stellenbosch University in the Western Cape of?South Africa who were registered in 2013.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study of 169 students was performed. Data were collected using?self-administered questionnaires handed out in a classroom in August 2013. Self-reported knowledge and?attitudes towards NO-PEP and barriers to access to and use of NO-PEP were analysed using frequency tables.?Associations between self-reported and objective knowledge of NO-PEP were analysed by odds ratios.Results: Over 90% of students had good knowledge on HIV transmission, and about 75% knew how?it can be prevented. Twenty eight per cent (n = 47) of students reported knowledge of NO-PEP; 67%?reported hearing about it from lecturers, whilst 1% reported hearing about it from their partner. Studentswho knew the correct procedure to take when a dose is forgotten were 2.4 times more likely to report?knowledge of NO-PEP than those who did not know what to do when a dose is forgotten (p = 0.029). No?other associations were statistically signifiant.Conclusion: Students had positive attitudes towards the use of NO-PEP and also identifid barriers to?its use. Despite good knowledge of HIV prevention and transmission, knowledge on NO-PEP was poor.