Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) Post Exposure Prophylaxis in a Tertiary Institution, South East Zone, Nigeria

Introduction: Human Immune deficiency virus (HIV) is the cause of Acquired Immune deficiency syndrome (AIDs) which is pandemic. This virus can be transmitted sexually, parentally and breast milk. Since health workers are easily exposed to this deadly virus, there was urgent need to see how it could be prevented; this was later extended to non-occupational. Post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) which is a course of two or three antiretroviral drugs given for a month, reduces the risk of sero-conversion after events of high risk of exposure like unprotected anal or vaginal sex, needle stick injuries and sharing of needles. This PEP is more efficacious when given before 72 hours.  There is follow-up ELISA for antibodies against HIV at 4to 6weeks, 3months and 6months after exposure.  

Objective: The objective is to have base line demographic information of people receiving PEP for HIV in the tertiary institution and the time of reporting.

Methodology: This is a retrospective study; the available data was reviewed, analyzed and presented. The data was analyzed with Microsoft Excel and Epiinfo

Result: The total clients that came for HIV PEP from September 2008 to July 2011 were one hundred and twenty out of these occupational were 34%, 22% were males, 46% were within the age group 21-30 and 77.5% reported within 24hours of exposure. There was steady increase in the number reporting per year January to July 2011 45(37.5%). HIV status of Contact (61%) was unknown. Victims with unknown status of contacts reported early (p<0.05). All victims were negative at contact except a raped case. None came back for follow up.    

Conclusion: Since most of the patients are non-occupational and three patients reported after 72 hours, there is need for creation of awareness in the community. Clients should be reminded to come for follow up.