Browsing by Author "Sosola, Macdonald"

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    Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice of HIV post exposure prophylaxis treatment amongst adolescent girls and young women in Blantyre urban
    (Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, 2021-09-15) Sosola, Macdonald
    Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in Africa. HIV infection is disproportionately higher in adolescent girls and young women in Malawi with approximately 24% of new HIV infections in 2019 occurring in this age group, despite composing 10% of the population. Non-occupational HIV post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) treatment is over 80% effective in preventing HIV infection when initiated within 72 hours of exposure and taken with full adherence. The study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of non-occupational HIV PEP amongst adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Blantyre urban and provide evidence based information for developing messaging of HIV PEP and maximize HIV PEP uptake with a goal of attaining zero new infections in Malawi by 2030. Objectives: The broad objective of the study is to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of non-occupational HIV PEP treatment amongst adolescent girls and young women in Blantyre urban. Specific objectives are; i) to estimate the proportion of adolescent girls and young women in Blantyre urban region who are aware of and have knowledge of non-occupational HIV PEP treatment; ii) to estimate the proportion of adolescent girls and young women in Blantyre urban who have used non occupational HIV PEP effectively on at least one occasion; iii) to determine attitudes of non-occupational HIV PEP use amongst adolescent girls and young women in Blantyre urban; iv) To determine factors that influence awareness, knowledge and uptake of HIV PEP by adolescent girls and young women. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study design, will be used to address the research objectives. The study will be conducted in Blantyre urban, with the target population being Blantyre urban female citizens aged 15 years to 24 years. Sample size (n) of 153 for females aged between 15 years and 24 years will be sufficient to address specific objectives 1, 2, 3 and 4. Data will be summarized and analyzed using chi square test and logistic regression. Statistical software STATA MP 16 will be used for data analysis Expected findings and dissemination: Extrapolating from a similar study done in USA New York, our expected findings are that less than 10% of the target population have knowledge of non-occupational HIV PEP treatment. The findings will be part of the requirements for award of an MPH to the investigator. Furthermore the findings will be disseminated to various stakeholders involved in HIV intervention measures in order to advocate increased messaging of non-occupational HIV PEP treatment in the population as one of the methods to fulfill one of the targets of the HIV national strategic plan 2020-2025 of zero new infections by 2030.