Isaac WE, Massa AA, Iliya II; International Conference on AIDS (15th : 2004 : Bangkok, Thailand).

Int Conf AIDS. 2004 Jul 11-16; 15: abstract no. ThPeB7257.

Hospital, Gombe, Nigeria

Background: To determine practices and perception of doctors and nurses (D&N) towards plwas as burden of Clinical care is increasing. Method: Questionnaire/interview to 451doctors and nurses. Results: 228 (47%) females and 223 (46%) males. 263 (47%) have worked for more than 16years. 367 (83%) have managed at least three plwas. 60 (14%) would not like to manage plwas in future. 27 (6%) were not sure they would. 203 (46%) D&N have fears when managing plwas and include fear of infection 103 (51%), fear that plwas may die 26 (12.8%), and fear of infecting others 24 (11.8%). 50 (24.7%) have the triple fear of infection, death and of infecting others. 106 (30.7%) D&N think that plwas should be isolated while on admission. 304 (68%) would not support isolation. 95 (21%) would like separate nurses and doctors for plwas. 80 (18%) would like D[dollar]N to have the right to choose to manage plwas. Were they in private practice, 122 (27%) would admit plwas and 293 (65%) would refer them to public hospitals.104 (23%) of D&N wear gloves always when securing an intravenous line,103 (23%) when dressing minor wounds and 239 (53%) major wounds. 77 (17%) wear eye goggles sometimes during a major health procedure.175 (39%) had Needle stick injury in the preceding three months. 148 (85%) had three NSI. 144 (82%) scrubbed NSI site with antiseptic, 15 (8.4%) with water and 6 (3.2%) nothing. 47 (27)% reported NSI. 34 (72%) reported to a co worker, 9 (20%) to a senior colleague and 2 (4.%) to wives/husbands. 175 (39%) of D&N have been accidentally exposed to the blood of HIV positive patients. 130 (29%) don't know. 117 (67%) cleaned site with antiseptic, 28 (16%) with soap and water and 31 (18%) nothing. 105 (60%) told a coworker, 26 (15%) Consultant and 42 (24%) senior nurse. No hospital had post exposure register and prophylaxis policy. Conclusion Doctors and nurses have fears and universal precaution is sub optimal.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Attitude of Health Personnel
• Female
• Health Personnel
• Hospitals
• Hospitals, Teaching
• Humans
• Infection Control
• Interviews as Topic
• Male
• Nigeria
• Nurses
• Physicians
• Questionnaires
• Universal Precautions

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0036821

UI: 102281037

From Meeting Abstracts