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Med. Pr. 2005;56(5)

The level of knowledge of post-exposure prohylaxis of blood-borne infections at the workplace observed in nurses

Analiza wiedzy pielęgniarek w zakresie profilaktyki poekspozycyjnej zakażeń krwiopochodnych na stanowisku pracy

Bartosz Bilski, Jacek Wysocki Medical University Poznań, Poland

Abstract

Background: The principles of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) of HIV, HBV, and HCV at the workplace have already been defined in available publications. Nurses belong to the occupational group that is especially exposed to risk of blood-borne infections. The aim of this study was to assess their knowledge of post-exposure prophylaxis of HIV, HBV and HCV. Materials and Methods: The study group comprised 125 nurses beginning secondary education. Results: The study revealed that 21.6ś29.6% (depending on the virus type) of nurses could not list any principle of post-exposure prophylaxis. Conclusions: The study population of nurses revealed inadequate knowledge in this area. They showed the best knowledge of principles concerning HIV, and the worst concerning HCV. In the population of nurses under study, the hospital training courses on PEP principles proved to be unsatisfactory, and thus there is an urgent need to improve this situation.

Key words

post-exposure prophylaxis, HIV, HBV, HCV, nurses