Exposure to HIV Risk and Utilization of HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis among Health Professionals of Governmental Health Institutions in Butajira Town, Southern, Ethiopia

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess exposure to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) risk and utilization of HIV Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) among health workers of governmental health institutions in Butajira town, Southern, Ethiopia. Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted at Butajira Hospital and Health Center from July to September 2017. A total of 114 Health professionals were selected using simple random sampling technique. Socio-demography and associated factors was collected using structured questionnaires. Result: Among health professionals enrolled in this study 71 (62.3%) were nurses, 14 (12.3%) midwives, 9 (7.9%) physicians, 11 (9.6%) laboratory technician/technologist, 8(7%) health officers and 1(0.9%) emergency surgeons. The observed rate of exposure to blood showed that 44.7%, nonblood body fluid 37.7% and needle stick injury 42.7%. Among exposed 6.9% were utilized PEP. The odds of PEP utilization was 8 times (COR=8.42, 95% CI=1.41-50.07) higher among those who trained on PEP than who did not trained. Conclusion and Recommendation: The finding of this study indicates that, health professional in developing countries are highly exposed for blood and needle injury due to lack of safety system regulation in routine activities and in contrary only few of them are implement HIV PEP service. Therefore, health institution in such area needs to revise health worker safety regulation system in order to effectively integrate with routine activities. In addition all health workers need be regularly refreshing their knowledge of factors leads for exposure and exercise proper implementation following exposure.