Needle stick injuries and awareness towards post exposure prophylaxis for HIV among private general practitioners of Davangere city

Background: Health care workers are at increased risk of infection with blood borne pathogens. Most exposures among health care workers are caused by percutaneous injuries with sharp objects contaminated with blood or body fluids. HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is effective in preventing potential HIV infection following accidental exposure. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of needle stick injuries (NSI) and factors affecting NSI among private general practitioners, awareness towards post exposure prophylaxis for HIV among private general practitioners, practice of post exposure prophylaxis for HIV among private general practitioners. Methods: The Cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among private general practitioners of Davangere city. Results: The prevalence of needle stick injures (NSI) in the life time of private general practitioners was 92.4%. In our study all participants had heard of HIV post exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Out of 150, 12 (8 %) had accidental exposure and 8 (67%) received HIV-PEP after exposure. Out of 8, 3(38%) completed the full HIV-PEP course. Conclusions: Majority of the respondents had needle stick injuries at least once in their life time. Majority of respondents had NSI while recapping needle. Majority of the participants had good level of awareness on PEP. Despite of good level of awareness they fail to practice HIV PEP.