KNOWLEDGE AND UTILIZATION OF HIV POST EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS AMONG UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI STUDENTS NGOMBO BENSON KITHI U29/2010/2010 SUPERVISOR: PROF. FN. KAMAU OCTOBER 2014

INTRODUCTION Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has contributed to a high proportion of morbidity and mortality in the world Post Exposure Prophylaxis is intended to prevent sero conversion after exposure to potential risk factors Commonly accepted means of HIV prevention for healthcare personnel Non-occupational HIV/PEP typically employed after: Sexual assault, consensual sex, needle stick injuries to at-risk individuals who are not healthcare personnel

STUDY JUSTIFICATION The extent and appropriateness of Non-occupational post exposure prophylaxis (NPEP) utilization in Kenya is not known No specific guidelines in Kenya identified for non occupational exposure to HIV risk factors There is need for these services to be extended to students It is also hoped that information obtained from the study will be used by the university to improve on the strategies that will mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS among students AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY General objective To determine HIV-PEP awareness and utilization among University of Nairobi students Specific objectives To determine level of knowledge on HIV PEP among University of Nairobi students Determine the level of utilization of PEP services by University of Nairobi students Establish factors associated with utilization of PEP among students Identify support measures offered to students seeking HIV PEP

METHODOLOGY Study site: University of Nairobi Sample size: 202 students Data analysis: Microsoft Office Excel 2007 TABLE 1: NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS PER COLLEGE CollegeSelected number of students College of Agriculture & Veterinary Sciences33 College of Architecture & Engineering33 College of Biological & Physical Sciences34 College of Education & External Studies34 College of Health Sciences34 College of Humanities and Social Sciences34

METHODOLOGY CONT… Students who had been in the university for six months and above, aged years Purposive sampling was used to select study units A self-administered questionnaire containing open and closed ended questions was used It contained three sections: Section A with demographic information, Section B knowledge and Section C utilization KNH/UON-Ethics & Research Committee was sought Consent from respondent was obtained KNH-Kenyatta National Hospital UON-University of Nairobi

RESULTS SECTION A: TABLE 2: SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC DATA FrequencyPercentage Age % SexMale % Female % Year of studyFirst % Second % Third %

RESULTS CONT… SECTION B: KNOWLEDGE ABOUT POST EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PEP) TABLE 3: HEARD ANY INFORMATION ABOUT HIV-PEP TABLE 4: CORRECT MEANING OF HIV-PEP FrequencyPercentage Yes % No % Total202100% Meaning of PEPFrequencyPercentage Yes % No %

RESULTS CONT… SECTION C: UTILIZATION OF POST EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS FIGURE 1: EXPOSURE TO HIV RISK FACTORS 21% (43) respondents had been exposed to risk factors for HIV infection

RESULTS CONT… FIGURE 2: REPORTING OF EXPOSURES (N=43) Only 19% (8) out of 43 exposures were reported

RESULTS CONT… FIGURE 3: REASONS FOR NOT REPORTING THE ACCIDENTAL EXPOSURE TO PEP UNIT (N=35).

RESULTS CONT… FIGURE 4: SUPPORTIVE MEASURES OFFERED TO STUDENTS EXPOSED TO HIV RISK FACTORS (N=202) Counseling and testing -main supportive measure offered;74%(149)

DISCUSSION 65 (32.2%) out of the 202 respondents lacked information on PEP 61 (44.5%) out of the 137 who had information on PEP did not know the correct meaning of PEP This means there is lack of information regarding PEP protocol; including the correct time to obtain PEP The reasons for not utilizing PEP services; respondent thought was not at risk of contracting HIV infection, no signs of HIV from source, did not want to do HIV test and did not know how and who to report to

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDETIONS Conclusion Low level of knowledge on HIV-PEP The level of utilization of PEP services was also low Most students fail to report exposure to potential HIV risk factors Recommendations Formulation of a clear PEP policy by the university Offer peer counseling services to students Creation of awareness on PEP Provision of youth friendly services to students exposed to risk factors