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ARTICLE
Year : 2009  |  Volume : 7  |  Issue : 14  |  Page : 78-80

A Study on Awareness of Post-exposure Prophylaxis Guidelines against Occupational Exposure to HIV among Non-teaching Staff in Mangalore City


1 Dept. of Community Dentistry, Mangalore, India
2 Dept. of Pedodontic and Preventive Dentistry, MCODS, Mangalore, India
3 Intern, MCODS, Mangalore, India

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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


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Background: Exposure to Human Immuno Deficiency Virus (lflV) is a matter of concern for Dental Health Care Workers (DHCW). The extent of risk to DHCW depends on prevalence of infection in patient population. A majority of patient's lllV status is unknown at the time of initial presentation. Despite following universal precautions, accidental exposure may occur while segregating and cleaning the instruments. The lack of data pertaining to awareness of post -exposure prophylaxis (PEP) among non-teaching staff is the basis behind this study. Methods: A structured questionnaire was given to 60 non-teaching staff. This questionnaire study was designed to gauge the awareness among non-teaching staff in Mangalore city regarding the risk of lllV transmission. appropriate first aid treatment immediately following exposure, estimation of risk of transmission. drugs used for PEP, duration of PEP regime, cost of the PEP, time intervals to test lllV after taking PEP drugs and when prophylaxis should be commenced. Results: Fifty-one respondents (81%) knew whom to contact immediately after accidental exposure, while only sixteen (26.7%) respondents knew that washing with soap and water was the initial measure. Though more than half of the respondents knew that prophylaxis should be initiated within one hour of injury, only twenty respondents knew the correct duration of PEP. Conclusion: Ongoing awareness and training programmes are necessary to improve the awareness about PEP among non-teaching staff.


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