Abstract:
Post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is any form of preventive healthcare that is
commenced as soon as the person comes into contact with a specific pathogen
and before necessarily developing the disease. According to a report, 2 million
out of 35 million health care workers are estimated to have exposure to
infectious disease every year. Such an infection is HIV/AIDS that is in dire
straits in Health care workers and student nurses in Ghana. PEP is useful in
preventing HIV virus after exposure to contaminated substances; however
student nurses may lack adequate knowledge about it. The aim of this study
was to determine the level of knowledge, attitude and practice of PEP for HIV
among student nurses of Holy Family Nursing and Midwifery Training
College in Techiman and how this could be enhanced. This paper used a
descriptive cross-sectional quantitative research design and the data source
was a structured questionnaire with closed ended questions to be answered by
220 respondents. Descriptive analysis was done SPSS version 23. The existing
level of knowledge of student nurses was low in terms of PEP; although,
several students had some level of knowledge with a positive attitude and
practice towards PEP. Furthermore, this study also showed a relationship with
the level of the programme in knowledge about PEP. The results show that
students’ knowledge of PEP in HIV is poor and short training before the preclinical
attachment on PEP of HIV should be conducted to the students
annually to improve their knowledge.
