Human immunodeficiency virus postexposure prophylaxis for occupational exposure in a medical school hospital in Thailand

This is a retrospective review of occupational exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and subsequent postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) among healthcare workers (HCWs) in King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital (KCMH), Bangkok, Thailand. From January 2002 to December 2004, data were collected from incident reports, the hospital's infectious diseases unit and the emergency department. There were 315 reported episodes of occupational exposure among 306 HCWs. Nurses (34.0%) were the HCWs most frequently exposed and percutaneous injury (91.4%) was the most common type of exposure. One-third of the source patients tested were infected with HIV. PEP was initiated following 200 (63.5%) of the 315 exposures and was started within 24h in >95% of cases. The most commonly prescribed PEP regimen was zidovudine, lamivudine and nelfinavir. Fifty-six percent of HCWs given PEP completed a four-week course but the remainder discontinued PEP prematurely due to side-effects, or after negative results from the source, or following informed risk reassessment or from their own accord. No exposed HCW acquired HIV during the study period. Appropriate counselling and careful risk assessment are important in achieving effective HIV PEP among HCWs.     

Occupational exposures to bloodborne pathogens among healthcare workers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Healthcare workers (HCWs) frequently face the risk of occupational infection from bloodborne pathogens following exposure to blood and body fluids. This study describes the results of a surveillance system of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens among HCWs in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during an eight-year period. A total of 15 035 exposures reported from 537 health units were reviewed. Six circumstances comprised nearly 70% of the reported exposures: recapping needles (14%), performing surgical procedures or handling surgical equipment (14%), handling trash (13%), during disposal into sharps containers (13%), performing percutaneous venepuncture (10%) and during blood drawing (5%). Easily preventable exposures, such as incidents related to recapping needles, handling trash, and sharps left in an inappropriate place, represented 30% of the exposures reported. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was initiated for 46% of exposed HCWs. Although Brazilian guidelines indicate that PEP is usually not recommended for exposures with insignificant or very low risk of HIV infection, PEP was prescribed to a large proportion of exposed HCWs under these circumstances. The prevention of occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens among HCWs and their safety must be considered as a public health issue. Although infection-preventative measures such as antiretroviral drugs and rapid tests are available, this study shows that there are still a high number of easily preventable exposures. The implementation of more effective prevention strategies is urgently required in this country.     

艾滋病7年高效抗逆转录病毒治疗的多中心前瞻性观察

目的前瞻性长期观察人免疫缺陷病毒感染者和获得性免疫缺陷综合征(HIV/AIDS)患者的高效抗逆转录病毒治疗(highly active antiretroviral therapy,HAART)一线药物抗HIV及免疫重建效果和主要毒副反应,探索我国艾滋病长期抗病毒治疗的规律。方法 437例HIV/AIDS患者先后启动HAART,一线方案为2个核苷类逆转录酶抑制剂(NRTI)加1个非核苷类逆转录酶抑制剂(NNRTI)。随访监测CD4+T细胞数量、HIV病毒载量,追踪血常规和主要生化指标的变化;观察发生的机会感染和药物毒副反应并及时处理,对出现病毒学失败或严重毒副反应者及时调整用药。结果对437例接受HAART的HIV/AIDS患者平均追踪了4.69年(3.15～7.34年),总病死率6.86%,大部分死亡发生在HAART启动的6个月内。启动HAART 12个月时,90.80%的患者HIV载量小于可检测下限;至治疗4、5、6、7年(±1个月)时,仍分别有63.46%、69.41%、70.00%和72.22%的患者病毒载量小于可检测下限。CD4+细胞数量在治疗的O、1、2、3、4、5、6、7年(±1个月)时分别为115、246、301、334、363、356、386和373个/μL。67.73%出现过各种可能与药物毒副作用相关的表现,主要有消化道症状、神经系统症状、肝功能损害、骨髓毒性、皮疹和血脂升高等,多发生于治疗启动12个月内;血脂分布异常和乳酸酸中毒较少见,多发生于启动2年以后;41例患者先后发生过Ⅲ/Ⅳ级毒副反应。因毒副反应而更换为其他一线药物者占19.22%,因病毒耐药或毒副反应而更换为二线药物者占11.67%。结论通过对HIV/AIDS患者HAART3～7年的多中心前瞻性观察,明确我国2个NRTI加1个NNRTI的HAART一线方案对大多数HIV/AIDS患者长期有效,病毒持续抑制,CD4+细胞增加;主要的毒副反应和死亡多发生在启动治疗12个月内。大多数HIV/AIDS患者可长期坚持一线药物治疗,少数因药物毒副反应或病毒耐药须换为二线药物治疗。     

Serious adverse events attributed to nevirapine regimens for postexposure prophylaxis after HIV exposures--worldwide, 1997-2000

In September 2000, two instances of life-threatening hepatotoxicity were reported in health-care workers taking nevirapine (NVP) for postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) after occupational human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) exposure. In one case, a 43-year-old female health-care worker required liver transplantation after developing fulminant hepatitis and end-stage hepatic failure while taking NVP, zidovudine, and lamivudine as PEP following a needlestick injury (1). In the second case, a 38-year-old male physician was hospitalized with life-threatening fulminant hepatitis while taking NVP, zidovudine, and lamivudine as PEP following a mucous membrane exposure. To characterize NVP-associated PEP toxicity, CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reviewed MedWatch reports of serious adverse events in persons taking NVP for PEP received by FDA (Figure 1). This report summarizes the results of that analysis and indicates that healthy persons taking abbreviated 4-week NVP regimens for PEP are at risk for serious adverse events. Clinicians should use recommended PEP guidelines and dosing instructions to reduce the risk for serious adverse events.     

广东省艾滋病病毒职业性暴露应急系统响应情况分析

目的建立艾滋病病毒(HIV)职业性暴露应急系统,分析应急响应情况。方法回顾性收集和分析2002~2004年报告的广东省各地HIV职业性暴露个案。结果2002~2004年共报告152例HIV职业性暴露个案,其中医务人员占74.34%,干警占13.82%。29.61%是皮肤黏膜接触性暴露,70.39%是创伤性暴露。暴露级别中,一级暴露占57.24%,二级暴露占35.53%,三级暴露占7.24%。94.74%的暴露者进行了暴露后应急局部处理。发生暴露后,只有38.16%的暴露者采用了合理的处理方案。104例(68.42%)进行了预防性服药,但其中仅有27.88%(29/104)的人采用合理的服药方案。48例(31.58%)未进行预防性服药,但其中仅有60.42%(29/48)的人是真正无需预防性服药者。92例暴露者经12个月的随访未发现有感染HIV者。结论广东省HIV职业性暴露应急系统能有效地响应全省HIV职业性暴露事件,但仍需加强对职业性暴露后应急处理技术的知识培训。     

Transmission of drug-resistant HIV after an occupational exposure despite postexposure prophylaxis with a combination drug regimen.

We documented a case of occupational human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) despite postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) with a combination drug regimen after percutaneous injury with a needle from a sharps disposal container in the hospital room of an HIV-infected patient. This failure of PEP with a combination drug regimen may have been related to antiretroviral drug resistance, other factors, or both. This case highlights the importance of preventing injury to prevent occupational transmission of HIV.     

Helping the urban poor stay with antiretroviral HIV drug therapy

Recent studies have documented dramatic decreases in opportunistic infections, hospitalizations, and mortality among HIV-infected persons, owing primarily to the advent of highly active antiretroviral medications. Unfortunately, not all segments of the population living with HIV benefit equally from treatment. In San Francisco, only about 30% of the HIV-infected urban poor take combination highly active antiretroviral medications, as compared with 88% of HIV-infected gay men. Practitioners who care for the urban poor are reluctant to prescribe these medications, fearing inadequate or inconsistent adherence to the complicated medical regimen. Persons typically must take 2 to 15 pills at a time, 2 to 3 times a day. Some of the medications require refrigeration, which may not be available to the homeless poor. Most homeless persons do not have food available to them on a consistent schedule. Therefore, they may have difficulty adhering to instructions to take medications only on an empty stomach or with food. Lack of a safe place to store medications may be an issue for some. In addition, many urban poor live with drug, alcohol, or mental health problems, which can interfere with taking medications as prescribed. Inconsistent adherence to medication regimens has serious consequences. Patients do not benefit fully from treatments, and they will become resistant to the medications in their regimen as well as to other medications in the same classes as those in their regimen. Development of resistance has implications for the broader public health, because inadvertent transmission of multidrug-resistant strains of HIV has been demonstrated. Concern that the urban poor will not adhere to highly active antiretroviral medication regimens has led to debate on the role of clinicians and public health officials in determining who can comply with these regimens. Rather than define the characteristics that would predict adherence to these regimens, the San Francisco Department of Public Health created a program to support adherence among those who may have the greatest difficulty complying with complicated highly active antiretroviral medication regimens. The program, dubbed the Action Point Adherence Project, was conceived through a community planning process in preparation for a city-wide summit on HIV/AIDS that took place in January 1998. Action Point is funded by the city and the county of San Francisco. Now in its 10th month, the program continues to show promising evidence of improving clients' biological and social indicators.     

Post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV infection in gay and bisexual men: Implications for the future of HIV prevention

Objective: To assess the psychological and behavioral characteristics of gay and bisexual men who intend to use antiretroviral post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent HIV infection.Methods: Gay and bisexual men who had not tested HIV seropositive and were not in long-term exclusive sexual relationships (n = 327) completed anonymous surveys consisting of demographic characteristics, gay community acculturation, experience with and attitudes toward PEP, substance use, and sexual behavior in the past 6 months.Setting: A large annual Gay Pride festival in Atlanta, Georgia.Results: There were 8 (3%) men who had already used PEP and 85 (26%) who planned to use PEP to prevent themselves from becoming HIV infected. Compared to the 242 (74%) men who did not indicate plans to use PEP, those planning to use PEP were younger, less well educated, more likely to have used illicit substances in the past 6 months, and were more likely to have a history of injection drug use. Men intending to use PEP were also more likely to have practiced unprotected anal and oral intercourse as the receptive partner and were more likely to have multiple anal intercourse partners with whom they were receptive.Conclusions: Gay and bisexual men are generally supportive of the immediate use of PEP and a significant number of men are planning to use PEP, particularly less educated men who use multiple substances and practice the highest-risk sexual behaviors. Concurrent behavioral interventions must, therefore, be considered critical in the advancement of PEP.     

Post-exposure prophylaxis following exposure to HIV: adaptation to the situation may be indicated

A woman aged 36 injured herself on a needle that had been used to take an iliac-crest biopsy from an HIV-positive patient and a man aged 34 and a woman aged 35 had sexual contact with their HIV-positive partners during which the condom tore. They were given post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) which was formulated using medication and virus resistance data from the HIV-positive individual. At 3 and 6 months the patients were all still HIV-negative. After occupational or non-occupational exposure to HIV, PEP is initiated if there is a reasonable risk of transmission of HIV. In The Netherlands a combination of 3 antiretroviral drugs is advised based on demonstrated antiviral effectiveness in the regular treatment of HIV-infections. Frequently a standard PEP-regimen is prescribed. If the source patient has a history of antiretroviral therapy, the virus might be resistant to standard PEP-regimens. In these cases the choice of drugs in the PEP-regimen can be individualised based on the antiretroviral medication history of the source patient and known resistance patterns of the source virus.     

艾滋病母婴传播阻断抗病毒治疗规范用药影响因素现况研究

目的 了解艾滋病母婴传播阻断抗病毒治疗的规范用药水平,探索其影响因素,为制定规范用药的措施提供依据.方法 采用现况调查方法在云南省5个艾滋病高、中流行县(市、区)对2005年1月至2007年6月接受母婴传播阻断服务的167例孕产妇及57名提供服务的医务人员进行调查,对艾滋病母婴传播阻断抗病毒治疗方案的选择与应用是否合理及艾滋病病毒(HIV)感染孕产妇依从性的主要影响因素进行定性和定量调查.结果 接受母婴传播阻断服务的167例HIV感染产妇中,抗病毒治疗规范用药率为65.87%(110/167);其中方案选择合理率为88.02%(147/167),产时用药合理率81.37%(131/161),依从率为87.42%(146/167).艾滋病母婴传播阻断抗病毒治疗规范用药的主要影响因素为确诊时间(OR=2.617;95%CI: 1.184～5.783),是否在阻断定点机构分娩(OR=0.064;95%CI:0.007～0.607),民族(OR=0.344;95%CI:0.162～0.730),是否知道服药阻断的目的 (OR=6.843;95%CI:1.449～32.312),以及医生对抗病毒治疗的认识不够,5个关键知识点(母婴阻断目的 、不按要求服药后果、各方案疗效、CD4高低与选择方案的关系、有关药物可能出现的副作用)的正确认识率为47.72%(136/285).结论 艾滋病母婴传播阻断抗病毒治疗规范用药的总体水平不高,受医患双方及社会等多种因素影响,有必要针对主要影响因素制定规范用药的措施.     

Post-exposure treatment against HIV outside of the hospital in Amsterdam, January-December 2000

The Infectious Diseases Department of the Amsterdam Public Health Service regularly sees people who have possibly been exposed to human body fluids infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), as a result of incidents in either a non-hospital-related occupation or during their leisure time. Until January 2000, people reporting possible exposure were referred to hospitals for HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (HIV-PEP), whereas for HBV and HCV, the tracing of the infection source and the follow-up took place at the Public Health Service clinic. Since the introduction of a new protocol in January 2000, the Public Health Service as well as a hospital can establish an indication for HIV-PEP and prescribe it. In 2000, 322 persons reported to the Public Health Service. The source was tested in 194 incidents and an HIV test was carried out on 104 occasions. In 19 cases HIV antibodies were found or the source was known to be HIV positive. A total of 50 people were prescribed HIV-PEP; 16 times after a needle-stick accident, 22 times after a sexual accident, 6 times after a bite-wound and 6 times after direct exposure to human blood. The sources of 30 PEP recipients could be tested and after this 16 recipients could stop with the treatment due to a negative HIV test. In 4 cases PEP treatment was stopped following a review of the indication. Therefore, 30 people had an indication to complete the PEP treatment. Of these, more than 80% reported side effects and 3 people had to withdraw from the treatment at an early stage because of this. The implementation of the protocol has resulted in less confusion because the follow-up now takes place at one location. Compared to other studies, the average time between exposure and treatment is shorter and compliance is good. In the period up to 15 May 2001, no seroconversions had been observed.     

我国部分地区预防HIV母婴传播不同用药方案效果分析

目的 研究分析我国HIV感染孕产妇应用抗逆转录病毒药物预防HIV母婴传播(prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV,简称PMTCT)的效果.方法 2006年1月1日至2008年12月30日,在我国河北、山西、辽宁等23个省(自治区)的局部县(区)的医疗保健机构接受孕产期保健的1072对HIV感染孕产妇及所生满18月龄并有HIV抗体检测结果的婴幼儿作为研究对象,对感染孕产妇进行问卷调查,收集社会人口学资料、应用抗逆转录病毒药物、安全分娩、人工喂养等一系列PMTCT相关信息,运用Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel(简称CMH)卡方检验,分析不同时期用药方案的变化趋势;运用分层分析及Fisher精确x2检验,研究比较不同抗逆转录病毒药物方案对HIV母婴传播率的影响.抗逆转录药物应用方案主要为单一奈伟拉平(NVP)药物方案、预防性抗逆转录病毒药物联合方案及治疗性抗逆转录病毒联合方案.结果 共调查1072对HIV感染产妇及所生婴幼儿,31名满18月龄HIV感染孕产妇所生儿童确认感染HIV,HIV母婴传播率为2.9%(31/1072).(1)HIV感染孕产妇抗病毒药物应用比例从2006年的76.4%(306/395)上升至2008年的83.8%(372/444),呈逐年递增趋势(CMH x2=6.4,P＜0.05).(2)2006年HIV感染孕产妇应用三联抗病毒药物的比例仅为3.4%(6/178),2008年,产妇应用三联药物的比例升至26.3%(104/395),逐年上升(CMH x2=53.1,P＜0.01),而单一NVP应用比例逐年下降,由2006年的88.8%(158/178)降至2008年的70.9%(264/372)(CMH x2=48.5,P＜0.01).(3)接受阴道分娩服务和人工喂养的产妇,联合抗病毒药物方案组发生HIV母婴传播水平仅为1.0%(1/104),低于应用单一NVP组HIV母婴传播率(5.9%,16/272)(Fisher x2=5.5,P＜0.05).(4)在人工喂养的情况下,阴道分娩的HIV感染产妇其采用预防性三联药物和治疗性三联抗病毒药物所致的HIV母婴传播率分别为3.1%(1/32)和0;剖宫产分娩的感染产妇,应用两者方案的母婴传播率则为3.2%(2/63)和3.1%(1/32),差异均无统计学意义(Fisher x2=1.4,P＞0.05;Fisher x2=0.0001,P＞0.05).结论 HIV感染孕产妇应用联合抗逆转录病毒药物预防HIV母婴传播效果明显,预防性三联抗病毒药物与治疗性抗病毒药物方案预防HIV母婴传播效果差异无统计学意义.     

Occupational risk of blood-borne viruses in healthcare workers: a 5-year surveillance program.

OBJECTIVE: This study presents the results of a 5-year surveillance program involving the prospective follow-up of healthcare workers (HCWs) in the Veneto region of Italy exposed to blood-borne viruses. DESIGN: All HCWs who reported an occupational exposure to blood-borne infection joined the surveillance program. Both HCWs and patients were tested for viral markers (hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg], antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen [anti-HBs], antibody to hepatitis B core antigen [anti-HBc], antibody to hepatitis C virus [anti-HCV], HCV RNA, and antibody to human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]) and had these markers plus transaminases assayed at 3, 6, and 12 months and then yearly thereafter. Moreover, a program of hepatitis B virus (HBV) prophylaxis was offered to those whose anti-HBs levels were less than 10 IU/mL. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred forty-five HCWs (156 women and 89 men) with a mean age of 37 (+/- 10) years who reported occupational exposure during the 5-year period. RESULTS: At the time of exposure, 1 HCW was positive for HBsAg (0.4%) and 2 were positive for HCV RNA (0.8%). Among the patients involved, 28 (11.4%) were positive for HBsAg, 68 (27.8%) were positive for HCV RNA, 6 (2.4%) were positive for HIV, and 147 (60.0%) were negative for all viral markers (4 patients were positive for both HCV and HIV). During the follow-up period after exposure (mean, 2.7 [+/- 1.6] years), there was no increase in transaminases or seroconversions to any of the viral markers. CONCLUSION: Our accurate postexposure follow-up revealed a lack of transmission of HBV, HCV, and HIV.     

Adherence, stereotyping and unequal HIV treatment for active users of illegal drugs

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy promotes viral suppression and extends the lives of individuals with HIV, yet illegal drug users are underrepresented among eligible persons receiving HIV treatment. One explanation for this is the assumption that drug users are less capable than others of adhering to complicated medication regimens. This paper investigates this assumption by making explicit a number of its underlying propositions and examining them in light of data collected from 52 active drug users living in and around Boston, USA, who were taking highly active antiretroviral therapy for HIV (HAART). The propositions are: (1) drug users lead "chaotic" lives; (2) active drug users are always using drugs; (3) being under the influence of drugs precludes taking medications as prescribed; and (4) drug users are intrinsically different from non-users in the lives they lead and the problems they face. Data collection consisted of a series of qualitative interviews with each participant. An analytic approach informed by grounded theory was used to construct thematic content categories from the data. Results revealed stability and control as well as "chaos" in the lives of study participants. Frequency of drug use varied considerably. Using did interfere with adherence, but not in every circumstance or all cases. Not "carrying" medications, competing priorities, and re-defining regimens were the most salient of a number of non-drug-use-related obstacles observed. Documentation of patterns of variation in corresponding data highlights the stereotypical quality of the propositions. Stereotyping risks overemphasis on drug use as a barrier to adherence for active users, and underemphasis on non-drug-use-related obstacles. Adherence capabilities of users, in contrast to inadequacies, are also obscured through stereotyping. As a medium for stigmatization, stereotyping may contribute to unequal treatment for drug users and other populations living with HIV.     

Adherence to HIV combination therapy

The emergence of drug-resistant strains of HIV virus and treatment failure can result from non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy. While non-adherence to therapy is not a new issue or specific to HIV/AIDS, it has received renewed attention because of the complicated combination treatment regimens being prescribed. This paper reviews the relevant background literature on the contributions of social and behavioural science to non-adherence to HIV medications. Data indicating problems with adherence prior to combination therapy are reported. Despite limitations, even self-report assessments have already succeeded in showing that adherence to combination therapy is significantly related to HIV viral load. Recent research data are discussed. Implications of findings for counselling patients to increase their adherence are presented.     

Risk of rabies infection and adverse effects of postexposure prophylaxis in healthcare workers and other patient contacts exposed to a rabies virus-infected lung transplant recipient.

BACKGROUND: Rabies virus was inadvertently transmitted to a lung transplant recipient through donor lungs. The patient was given ventilatory assistance and cared for postoperatively for 6 weeks before a diagnosis of rabies virus infection was made. Postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) was offered to potentially exposed healthcare workers (HCWs). METHODS: Only HCWs classified as belonging to possible and/or proven contact groups (according to a standardized interview) received PEP. The risk of individual HCWs being exposed to rabies virus was reassessed on the basis of viral concentrations measured in the patient's excretions and body fluids. HCWs who were vaccinated as part of PEP were followed up prospectively according to a standardized procedure. RESULTS: Of 179 HCWs and other patient contacts, 132 met the eligibility criteria for PEP (118 [89.4%] with possible contact and 14 [10.6%] with proven contact with the patient's excretions and/or body fluids). One hundred thirty-one individuals started PEP, and 126 met the inclusion criteria for analysis. Of these, 48 (38%) developed at least 1 adverse effect (8 [6.3%] had fever, 37 [29.4%] had headache, 3 [2.4%] had lymphadenopathy, 17 [13.5%] had dizziness, and 6 [4.8%] had paresthesia). No HCW or other patient contact developed rabies or serious PEP-related adverse effects. Reassessment of the individual's risk of infection as a function of the viral concentration in the patient's excretions and/or body fluids (up to 5.12 x 10(7) copies/mL) revealed that 103 HCWs (78.0%) had contact with high-risk substances (89 [67.40%] had possible contact and 14 [10.7%] had proven contact). CONCLUSION: HCWs can be exposed to significant viral concentrations in excretions and/or body fluids from rabies virus-infected lung transplant recipients. Because widespread use of PEP entails the possibility of significant health problems for HCWs considered to be at risk of contracting rabies, applying a rational indication for PEP is crucial.     

Directly observed therapy (DOT): from tuberculosis to HIV

BACKGROUND: Combination antiretroviral therapy, which is the standard of care since 1996, has been demonstrated to be very effective in suppressing plasma viral load in patients infected with HIV. Optimal benefit from antiretroviral drugs, however, is obtained when the patient adheres strictly to the rigorous treatment regimen. For some patients it is difficult to obtain good adherence to antiretroviral regimens. In response to these concerns, different strategies, such as directly observed therapy, have been proposed to attempt to improve adherence to antiretroviral treatment. Directly observed therapy is a strategy that has its roots in the treatment of tuberculosis and it consists essentially of taking the medication in the presence of a health care provider or another designated person. This strategy has been recently tried in the treatment of HIV but its efficacy remains unknown. METHOD: A Medline and Medscape search was performed to review all pertinent publications on the use of directly observed therapy in HIV infection. RESULTS: Twenty-five papers published between 1996 and 2004 were selected. Almost all the studies were performed in industrialized countries in North America and Europe. The majority of the studies are retrospective, six of them comparing at least two strategies (directly observed therapy vs standard of care). Only one randomized trial has been found. The patients involved in the studies are intravenous drug users or particularly non-adherent patients. Almost all studies show a better rate of adherence or a better control of the viremia in patients on directly observed therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The directly observed therapy seems to be a valuable and feasible way to raise the adherence rate in HIV patients with a problem of non-adherence to antiretroviral treatments. Clinical trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of this strategy to raise the adherence rate among patients who need additional support to take their antiretrovirals.     

Risk perception and attitudes towards HIV in Serbian health care workers

BACKGROUND: Health care workers (HCWs) are at risk of occupational exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). AIM: To investigate the perception of professional risk from, and the knowledge, attitudes and practice of HCWs to HIV and AIDS in Serbia. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 1,559 Serbian HCWs using self-administered anonymous questionnaires. Chi-square testing and multiple logistic regression analysis were applied. RESULTS: Eighty-nine per cent of HCWs believed that they were at risk of acquiring HIV through occupational exposure. The perception of professional risk was higher among HCWs frequently exposed to patients' blood and body fluids (OR 7.9, 95% CI 4.4-14.5), who used additional personal protection if the HIV status of patient was known (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.5-4.6), who had experienced sharp injuries within the last year (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.0-3.8) or who had been tested for HIV (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.2-3.5), and among HCWs who had treated HIV-positive patients (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1-2.8). The majority of respondents had deficient knowledge about modes of HIV transmission. Attitudes towards HIV-positive patients were significantly different by occupation. Seventy per cent of HCWs used appropriate protection during their daily work with patients. CONCLUSIONS: HCWs require specific educational programmes and training protocols to ensure that they are adequately protected when carrying out high quality care.