title: Knowledge and attitudes of non-occupational HIV post-exposure prophylaxis amongst first- and second-year medical students at Stellenbosch University in South Africa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a worldwide problem, with 68% of infected people residing in sub-Saharan Africa. Antiretroviral therapy is used as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent infection in cases of occupational exposure, and use has recently been expanded to nonoccupational exposure. Studies have demonstrated a lack of awareness of non-occupational PEP (NOPEP) in the general population.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge and attitudes towards availability of, access to and use of NO-PEP amongst first- and second-year medical students.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were medical undergraduates of Stellenbosch University in the Western Cape of South Africa who were registered in 2013.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive cross-sectional study of 169 students was performed. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires handed out in a classroom in August 2013. Self-reported knowledge and attitudes towards NO-PEP and barriers to access to and use of NO-PEP were analysed using frequency tables. Associations between self-reported and objective knowledge of NO-PEP were analysed by odds ratios.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over 90% of students had good knowledge on HIV transmission, and about 75% knew how it can be prevented. Twenty eight per cent (n = 47) of students reported knowledge of NO-PEP; 67% reported hearing about it from lecturers, whilst 1% reported hearing about it from their partner. Studentswho knew the correct procedure to take when a dose is forgotten were 2.4 times more likely to report knowledge of NO-PEP than those who did not know what to do when a dose is forgotten (p = 0.029). No other associations were statistically signifiant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Students had positive attitudes towards the use of NO-PEP and also identifid barriers to its use. Despite good knowledge of HIV prevention and transmission, knowledge on NO-PEP was poor.
authors.affiliation: Division of Community Health, Stellenbosch University. ndumi10@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Nondumiso B Q
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Ncube
authors.forename: Willem A J
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Meintjes
authors.forename: Lumbwe
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chola
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017758:Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D056990:Post-Exposure Prophylaxis; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D013019:South Africa; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires