title: Knowledge and perception of microbicides among healthcare providers in Calabar, Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With the worldwide spread of HIV/AIDS, the absence of a known cure and the challenges associated with existing prevention methodologies, there is need for new prevention technologies. The successful uptake of healthcare products and services depend, to a large extent, on healthcare providers' knowledge, perception and attitude regarding them.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the knowledge and perception of healthcare providers regarding microbicides.
  
  
  METHODS
  A semi-structured questionnaire was administered on 400 randomly selected health care providers in Calabar, Cross River State of Nigeria. Data obtained from the 350 returned questionnaire were analyzed using EPI -Info software version 3.5.1.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and sixty-four (46.9%) respondents were medical doctors while 157 (44.9%) were nurses, 7 (2%) were Pharmacists and 22 (6.2%) belonged to "other" categories. Thirty- two percent knew the advantages of microbicides over condoms. Sixty-eight percent indicated that microbicides would benefit only women while to 27%, it would benefit both men and women. Seventy-five percent of respondents would be willing to act as community advocates for microbicides while 21% would not be willing and 4% were not decided. There was a statistically significant association between professional group and willingness to act as community advocates for microbicides. Medical doctors were more likely to act as advocates than other professional groups (p<0.05). Female respondents were more likely to have correct knowledge regarding microbicides than males (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are gaps in knowledge regarding microbicides among the health care providers. Capacity building would be successful since the majority are willing to act as community advocates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Aniekan J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Etokidem
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive and Social MedicineUniversity of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Daprim S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Ogaji
authors.affiliation: Department of Family MedicineUniversity of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ita B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Okokon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D010465:Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents