Abstract:

Human Immudeficiency Virus (HIV) transmission remains a global public health challenge particularly among healthcare workers (HCWs). HCWs are susceptible to occupational exposures because they often handle blood and body fluids or contaminated materials. This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to determining the HCWs’ HIV exposure characteristics, adherence to occupational postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) and seroconversion rate. Information was extracted from all the 114 medical records of HCWs who sought for PEP at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, between 2011 and 2023. The data comprised sociodemographic details, exposure characteristics, adherence to PEP and seroconversion rate at 6 months. The HCWs age ranged from 20 to 59 years with a mean age of 32.34 ± 8.757 years. The females were 51.8%. Medical doctors (30.7%) were the most exposed to HIV, follow by the laboratory scientists 15.8% and nurses 14.9%. Types of exposure were mostly needle stick injury (80.7%), blood/body fluid splashes (14.9%), and cuts from sharps (4.4%). Majority of these exposures were high risk, 79%. High proportion of HCWs 85.1% started PEP within the recommended 72 hours. The study showed low adherence rate of 67.5%, and poor post-PEP HIV screening. No seroconversion was observed among the HCWs who completed follow-up. Dolutegravir-based regimen showed significant association (p=0.026) with improved adherence to PEP. The flaws noticed in this study should provide bases for the stakeholders and hospital policy makers to formulate policies that will improve HCWs safety. Hospital administrators should create more awareness about hospital policies and procedures when HIV exposure occurs.

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