Resumen

AKINGBOHUNGBE, Olugboyega O.; YOGESWARAN, Parimalaranie  y  ADELEKE, Olukayode A.. Knowledge, attitudes and practices of primary care nurses regarding human immunodeficiency virus pre-exposure prophylaxis in Mhlontlo sub-district municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa. SAFP [online]. 2025, vol.67, n.1, pp.1-9. ISSN 2078-6204.  https://doi.org/10.4102/safp.v67i1.6204.

BACKGROUND: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is key for preventing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission, but uptake is limited, especially in rural areas of South Africa. Nurses in primary healthcare (PHC) play a vital role in delivering PrEP, yet little is known about their knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) in this area METHODS: A cross-sectional analytic study was conducted among 178 nurses from three healthcare facilities in the Mhlontlo sub-district of the OR Tambo District, Eastern Cape. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to assess demographic variables, PrEP-related knowledge, attitudes and practices RESULTS: While 78.7% of participants were aware of PrEP, only 43.3% demonstrated comprehensive knowledge, and just 46.6% had ever initiated a client on PrEP. Community health centre (CHC) nurses demonstrated significantly better knowledge and practice than those in district hospitals (p < 0.001). Attitudes were generally positive, with 91.4% agreeing that PrEP is an effective HIV prevention method. However, 73.1% believed it could lead to increased transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The study identified barriers to PrEP implementation, including lack of training (57.9%), protocol shortages (25.3%) and insufficient time (40.4% CONCLUSION: Primary care nurses demonstrate a high level of awareness and positive attitudes towards PrEP; however, knowledge and practice gaps persist. Primary care providers' capacity building through targeted training, integration and improved human and healthcare resources is vital to enhancing PrEP implementation for national HIV prevention CONTRIBUTION: This study highlighted the frontline primary care providers' vital roles in the PrEP for prevention of HIV infection in resource-limited rural healthcare settings

Palabras clave : human immunodeficiency virus; pre-exposure prophylaxis; sexually transmitted infection; primary healthcare; knowledge; attitudes and practice.

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