Comparative Assessment of Occurrence of Sharp Injuries, Knowledge and Utilization of Post-exposure Prophylaxis among Health care workers In South-South Nigeria

Worldwide, sharp injuries remain the most common cause of exposure to blood and body fluids. Preventing this exposure to blood and body fluid is the most important strategy of minimizing transmission of Human immuno-deficiency virus, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C infections in health care setting. However, post exposure prophylaxis or management are key element of the complete program needed in preventing blood borne infections among HCWs. Post Exposure prophylaxis (PEP ) is any preventive medical treatment started immediately after exposure to a pathogen (such as a disease-causing virus), in order to prevent infection by the pathogen and the development of disease.

Objectives: To assess the occurrence of sharp injuries, knowledge and utilization of post exposure prophylaxis among Health Care Workers at the three level of health care delivery in South-south Nigeria.

Methods: The cross sectional study was carried out among 492 Health Care Workers at the three level of health care delivery in South-south Nigeria. Multi stage sampling technique was used to recruit health care workers into this study and SPSS was used in data analysis.

Results: More than one-third of the health care workers at the three levels of health care delivery reported having sharps injuries, however, majority (50.4%) of HCWs in the primary health care centres had more exposure to Blood and body fluids (BBFs) compared to the other level of care. A large proportion of the health care workers (HCWs) in the primary health care workers (83.7%) and more than half of their counter parts at the secondary health care (SHC) had poor knowledge of PEP compared to the teritiary health care (THC) where only 27.4% of the respondents had poor knowledge of PEP. Moreover, the utilization of post exposure prophylaxis was generally low at all levels of health care; it was higher (15.6%) among the PHC workers and least (14.30%) at the secondary health care level.

Conclusion: Despite the essential and indispensable role of post exposure prophylaxis in controlling occupational blood borne infections (post exposure infections), it was sad to note that most of the HCWs had poor knowledge and utilization of post exposure prophylaxis. Also, most HCWs had sharp injuries during their course of patient care. Therefore, there is need for regular training and sensitization of HCWs on the principles of post exposure prophylaxis and adherence to standard precautions.