The Link Between HIV Knowledge and Prophylaxis to Health Professionals

BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers have a high risk of professional exposure, especially in developing countries. AIM: This paper aims to determine whether there is a link between knowledge and HIV prophylaxis on HIV prevention in Albanian healthcare system employees. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was attended by professionals of the Albanian health care system who also attended second cycle studies at the Faculty of Medical Sciences (FMS) at the University of Medicine, Tirana. The study was conducted through a standard questionnaire with 24 questions, previously created by the Vojvodina Institute of Public Health in Serbia. RESULTS: A group of 219 respondents participated in the study, of which 83.3% were women and 16.7% males. The risk of HIV transmission from syringe injection is > 75%, for 55.9% of the respondents. This result is statistically significant compared to other categories (p < 0.01). There is an increase in awareness of the use of gloves before manipulation and use of syringes, with increased work experience (p = 0.01). The use of specific containers for the elimination of syringes after manipulation is a more common practice by the most experienced professionals at work and results in a significant change (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: This study showed that there is not enough information from health professionals about potentially infectious fluids for HIV transmission. Younger professionals are less informed about HIV transmission and prophylaxis. These data indicate that there is a need for deepening of university curricula about the risks and exposure to biologically infectious fluids.