Healthline (Jan 2011)
Impact of knowledge about Post exposure prophylaxis among nursing students - A cross sectional study
Abstract
Abstract Background: A cross sectional study was conducted to study the level of knowledge and attitude about Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) among nursing students of Nagpur. Pre tested closed ended questionnaires were completed before and after an educational intervention to assess the knowledge retention in the students. Method: The study is a cross sectional study with a pre-test and post-test conducted among 108 nursing students of a Nursing college in Nagpur. The questionnaire consisted of a total of 19 questions with sections of general information of the students followed by facts about HIV and AIDS, prevention and lastly PEP. Result: The knowledge in pre test session was poor in all the three sections. It was observed that knowledge on all the three aspects improved in the post test session. The increase in knowledge was statistically significant for all the three sections. The retention of knowledge imparted to the students was satisfactory. Conclusion: Nurses are probably the most vulnerable of all the health care workers to get exposed to the occupational hazard of HIV infection. Sadly the knowledge regarding various vital aspects of this plague of modern times is unsatisfactory in this important health workforce. However it is encouraging to note that the situation can be rapidly changed using simple methods of teaching and discussions focused on the topic.
