KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES OF NURSES TOWARD PRE–EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PREP) IN A HEALTH FACILITY IN THE LUBOMBO REGION, ESWATINI

Abstract

Though the incidence of HIV is decreasing in Eswatini it is still high compared to other countries in the region. More strategies such as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention have to be employed to curb the spread of the disease. The study sought to determine the knowledge and attitudes of nurses towards Pre – Exposure prophylaxis in one of the health facilities in the Lubombo Region, in Eswatini. A quantitative - descriptive cross sectional approach was utilised in this study with a total of 31 respondents’ selected using simple random sampling. All the participants were registered nurses working in designated Anti-Retroviral departments. Self – administered questionnaires were adapted and also pretested to ensure validity and reliability. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s Correlation through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. All the respondents were aware of PrEP however few new the eligibility criteria. There is a high level of awareness about PrEP but low level of knowledge (16.1) about when PrEP should be taken, who is eligible for PrEP (38.7%) and what drugs are recommended for PrEP (45.2%). A majority (90.4%) believed that PrEP is likely to reduce HIV transmission. Above average (64.5) % were willing to prescribe PrEP though were sceptical of side effects (61.3%). Though they believed PrEP was 100% effective majority (74.2) were concerned about poor adherence. The study shows poor knowledge but attitude was moderate towards PrEP among nurses

KEYWORDS: Knowledge, attitude, nurses, pre – exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)

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*CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: Magagula, N. Good Shepherd Hospital. nmagagula@uniswa.sz