Adherence To Anti-Retroviral Post Exposure Prophylaxis Following Needle-Stick Injury Among Healthcare Workers In Umuahia Urban Abia State

ABSTRACT

The research study was conducted to assess the level of adherence to anti retroviral post exposure prophylaxis following needle stick injury among the different categories of HCWs (Doctors, Nurses and Medical Laboratory Scientists) in umuahia urban of Abia State South Eastern part of Nigeria. The study was a descriptive (cross-sectional) survey of qualified health care workers in all registered health facilities in Umuahia Urban. Abia State. The sample size of 222 was drawn from the target population of 740. Multi-stage sampling techniques was employed to select the desired sample for the study. Each category of HCWs was taken as a sample unit. Proportional Sample Size of each unit was selected using stratified sampling techniques in order to calculate the overall sample. Data was collected through the use of structured, selfadministered questionnaire. Data collected were analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). Hypotheses were tested using chi-square (x2 ) test at Statistical level of significance set at P-value < 0.05. Data were presented using descriptive statistics of frequency distribution tables and charts express in percentages (%). Inferential statistics of chi-square was used to test for association between socio-demographics and level of occurrence of needle stick injury, level of adherence to PEP medication while T-test statistic was used to test for significance of awareness of PEP services. An approval and introductory letter to conduct the study were obtained from Health Research Ethics Committee of study areas and school of Health Technology FUTO respectively. Respondents were allowed to give their consents before participating in the study. Results showed that the work of the respondents involved constant use of needles and other sharp instruments. It also showed that some HCWs had poor knowledge and understanding of the meaning and objectives of PEP services. It also revealed that irrespective of low rate of needle stick injury, a higher percentage of 79.4 of exposed, accessed antiretroviral drugs for 3-4 weeks. There is no significant association between gender and levels of occurrence of needle stick injury, awareness/availability of Post Exposure Prophylaxis services and adherence to anti-retroviral drugs since the calculated chi-square (X2 cal) of 1.064 is less than the tabulated chi-square (X2 tab) of 5.9914 with degree of freedom = 2, P-value = 0.58742894and α = 0.05. Based on the results/findings, there should be scale up on the level of antiretroviral PEP services available in health facilities in Umuahia Urban, Abia State including the adoption of uniform standards of Post Exposure Prophylaxis procedures for healthcare institutions. Further studies on adherence to antiretroviral Post Exposure Prophylaxis procedures especially on awareness of Post Exposure Prophylaxis. The study should compare level of adherence to anti-retroviral post exposure prophylaxis procedure among healthcare workers between Abia State and another State in Nigeria.

Keywords: Anti-Retroviral; Anti-viral drugs; Exposure Prophylaxis; Needle-Stick; Injury; Healthcare Workers; Umuahia Urban and Abia State