Perception and attitude of theatre staff to preoperative HIV testing at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital

<正>Objective:To elucidate the awareness and approach to pre-operative human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) testing and emphasis on the attendant components of HIV testing.Methods: The study was conducted at the theatres of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital among 123 nursing,anaesthetic,and operating staff.A descriptive cross sectional design was adopted with stratified sampling.The study instrument was a structured,self administered pro forma.Results:All respondents were all aware of HIV infection and all had transmission through infected blood and tissues(100.0%).88.6%had infection through needle stick injuries, 62.6%through vertical transmission,and 98.4%through blood transfusion.Sixty three percent of respondents correctly knew what preoperative testing was,while 58.5%were aware of the preoperative testing policy of the hospital.All respondents favoured the policy of preoperative testing.Attitudinal values to seropositive patients were not very different as 72.4%of respondents claimed they treated every patient as high risk,and all respondents used personal protective equipment.Conclusions:Routine HIV testing now represents a conventional means providing patients with knowledge of their HIV status.Such testing should be accompanied by informed consent,counselling,confidentiality,protection,and access to treatment.