ABSTRACT
Background: Globally, 36.7 million people were living with HIV. The prevalence in India is estimated to be 0.26% and it is in the range of 0.21-0.25% in Odisha. The objectives were to assess the perception on HIV and the preventive practices among the health personnel in a tertiary level health facility of South Odisha.Methods: This study was hospital based cross-sectional study. Place of study was OPDs, indoor wards, emergency Department of MKCG Medical College, Berhampur, Ganjam, Odisha, India. Study period was from December 2017 to February 2018. Study participants were all the health care workers present during the visit were interviewed using semi structured questionnaire. Sample size were 174 health personnel. Those who didn’t give consent for the study were excluded from the study. Statistical tests used were percentage and proportion. Statistical software used-SPSS 16 version.Results: Out of 174 respondents 67.8% were doctors, 14.9% staff nurses and 17.3% other professionals. Among safety measures, gloves, mask, apron and cap were used by 69%, 11.5%, 13.8% and 5.7% respectively. The patient’s HIV status was enquired by 78.9% male health personnel during treatment. 90% female health personnel had come across HIV positive patients during treatment procedure. The knowledge about basic PEP regimen was present in 54.4% male and 80% female health personnel.Conclusions: The study participants were not aware about all the mode of transmission. There is gap in knowledge and practices of safety gears. Perceptions and practice of doctors were no way better than other health personnel. Knowledge and practice of safety gear should be enforced by the hospital authority to keep its work force safe and healthy.