Occupational exposure to HIV among nurses at a major tertiary hospital: Reporting and utilization of post-exposure prophylaxis; A cross-sectional study in the Western Cape, South Africa.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:While treatment for HIV has greatly improved patient outcomes, health care workers, including nurses, remain at high risk of occupational exposure. The risk of exposure is a continuous concern in the South African health system that is overburdened by multiple stressors, including the highest HIV caseload in the world. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of occupational exposure to HIV, reporting and utilization of post-exposure prophylaxis, knowledge, attitudes towards HIV post-exposure prophylaxis and infection control practices amongst nurses at a tertiary hospital in the Western Cape, South Africa. METHODS:A cross-sectional study was conducted at Tygerberg hospital from the 4th to the 16th February 2019. Participants were front line nurses working in randoml

SUBMITTER: Kabotho KT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7156052 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature