[The level of knowledge of post-exposure prohylaxis of blood-borne infections at the workplace observed in nurses].
BACKGROUND
The principles of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) of HIV, HBV, and HCV at the workplace have already been defined in available publications. Nurses belong to the occupational group that is especially exposed to risk of blood-borne infections. The aim of this study was to assess their knowledge of post-exposure prophylaxis of HIV, HBV and HCV.


METHODS
The study group comprised 125 nurses beginning secondary education.


RESULTS
The study revealed that 21.6-29.6% (depending on the virus type) of nurses could not list any principle of post-exposure prophylaxis.


CONCLUSIONS
The study population of nurses revealed inadequate knowledge in this area. They showed the best knowledge of principles concerning HIV, and the worst concerning HCV. In the population of nurses under study, the hospital training courses on PEP principles proved to be unsatisfactory, and thus there is an urgent need to improve this situation.
Bilski
Bartosz
B
Katedry Profilaktyki Zdrowotnej, Akademii Medycznej im. K. Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu. bilski@amp.edu.pl
Wysocki
Jacek
J
D000328:Adult; D017848:Blood-Borne Pathogens; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011044:Poland; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016635:Universal Precautions