The awareness and use of post exposure prophylaxis among adolescents and young adults seeking services at naguru teenage information and health center

Abstract

HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) refers to the use of Anti Retro Viral medications for 28 days to prevent HIV infection after high-risk exposure, has long been available, and it is recommended in WHO guidelines.The use of Anti Retro Viral medications by HIV-infected persons to prevent HIV, has the potential to substantially reduce HIV acquisition among adolescent girls aged 15–24yrs population that accounts for 20% of the persons living with HIV infections among adolescents and young people Objective:The study aimed at determining the awareness and use of PEP among adolescents and young adults seeking services at Naguru Teenage information and health centre Nakawa division,Kampala district, central Uganda. A descriptive Cross-sectional study to be used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data, data obtained was entered into the computer and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. Results:Out of 288 respondents,144 (50%) were in the age range of 15-18years, 209 (72.6%) were females,232(80.6%) were single, 170(59%) were still in school, 49(41.5%)had attained o-level of education, 210(72.9%) were Catholics, 99(34.4%) were living with both parents, 80(27.8%) were living with single parents, 114(41%). Majority of the participants 154 (53.5%) had never heard about PEP and 79 (51.3%) had received information from health centres.279 (96.9%) had never taken PEP and only 43 participants (14.9%) reported to know someone that has ever taken PEP. Conclusion:Most of adolescents and young adults lack awareness about PEP services. There is limited use of PEP among adolescents who are exposed to HIV risks due to unawareness about facilities providing PEP services, knowledge gap about PEP services, not knowing other people who ever used PEP .among others. Recommendations:Health workers should Conduct regular awareness campaigns targeted at general population to raise awareness about PEP awareness and use More efforts should be put to sensitize the general public on the use of PEP services so as to increase PEP utilization after possible exposure to HIV.