A study to assess the knowledge about post exposure prophylaxis of HIV infection among IV year B.Sc. nursing students studying in government college of Nursing, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

Back Ground: PEP stands for post-exposure prophylaxis. It means taking antiretroviral medicines (ART) after being potentially exposed to HIV to prevent becoming infected. PEP must be started within 72 hours after a recent possible exposure to HIV, as early we start PEP that better the result will be.Objectives: The study was planned to assess the knowledge of students regarding post exposure prophylaxis of HIV and to prepare an information booklet on Post exposure prophylaxis to educate IV year B.Sc. nursing students.Material and Methods: In the present study descriptive research design was used and it was planned to conduct in Government College of nursing, Kurnool, AP, India. Population was IV year B.Sc. nursing students studying in Government College of nursing, Kurnool. Convenient sampling technique was used to choose the sample. Data were collected from 25 students studying IV year B.Sc. nursing by using structured questionnaire.Result: The findings of the study reveal that 14.6 % and 38.6% of the IV year B.Sc. nursing students have inadequate knowledge about HIV infection and PEP respectively, where as 85.3% and 61.3% of the students have adequate knowledge about HIV infection and PEP respectively; which clearly states that rate of Students knowledge about PEP is low than the knowledge about HIV infection.