Awareness and acceptability of Doxy-PEP for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections among persons living with HIV in two Nigerian hospitals: a cross-sectional assessment
1
Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Management, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria, Nigeria
2
University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A503
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
It is essential for Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV) to be aware of preventive measures against Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as Doxycycline Post-exposure Prophylaxis (Doxy-PEP) which has shown efficacy in preventing some STIs such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Syphilis. This study evaluated the level of awareness among PLHIV in two Nigerian hospitals regarding the utilization of Doxy-PEP as a preventive measure against STIs, as well as their willingness to consider its use.
METHODS:
Employing a cross-sectional study design, we used an 18-item structured and self-administered questionnaire to collect data from PLHIV at two hospitals in southeastern Nigeria: faith-based Bishop Shanahan Hospital (BSH) and the government-owned University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH). Data was collected from 334 participants (152 from BSH and 182 from UNTH) from November to December, 2024. Inferential and descriptive analysis were done using IBM SPSS 27.0 where significance was set as p < 0.05.
RESULTS:
More than half of the respondents were females (n = 242; 72.45%) and were within the age of 35-44 years (n = 114, 34.1%). Of the 334 participants, 294 (88.0%) were unaware of Doxy-PEP, with 150 (44.9%) respondents reporting that they would prefer to receive information about Doxy-PEP at healthcare facilities. Most respondents (n = 276; 82.6%) were willing to use Doxy-PEP if accessible, citing STI prevention (30.5%) as a key reason. Having a higher educational qualification (p = 0.001), engagement in entrepreneurship (p = 0.038) and being unmarried were associated with better knowledge of Doxy-PEP.
CONCLUSIONS:
The level of awareness of Doxy-PEP is low in the two hospitals whereas the willingness to use it is high. Awareness or education on Doxy-PEP as a prophylaxis for STIs should be increased especially in rural communities. Healthcare providers should educate more PLHIV about Doxy-PEP and its role in STI prevention.
It is essential for Persons Living with HIV (PLHIV) to be aware of preventive measures against Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as Doxycycline Post-exposure Prophylaxis (Doxy-PEP) which has shown efficacy in preventing some STIs such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Syphilis. This study evaluated the level of awareness among PLHIV in two Nigerian hospitals regarding the utilization of Doxy-PEP as a preventive measure against STIs, as well as their willingness to consider its use.
METHODS:
Employing a cross-sectional study design, we used an 18-item structured and self-administered questionnaire to collect data from PLHIV at two hospitals in southeastern Nigeria: faith-based Bishop Shanahan Hospital (BSH) and the government-owned University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH). Data was collected from 334 participants (152 from BSH and 182 from UNTH) from November to December, 2024. Inferential and descriptive analysis were done using IBM SPSS 27.0 where significance was set as p < 0.05.
RESULTS:
More than half of the respondents were females (n = 242; 72.45%) and were within the age of 35-44 years (n = 114, 34.1%). Of the 334 participants, 294 (88.0%) were unaware of Doxy-PEP, with 150 (44.9%) respondents reporting that they would prefer to receive information about Doxy-PEP at healthcare facilities. Most respondents (n = 276; 82.6%) were willing to use Doxy-PEP if accessible, citing STI prevention (30.5%) as a key reason. Having a higher educational qualification (p = 0.001), engagement in entrepreneurship (p = 0.038) and being unmarried were associated with better knowledge of Doxy-PEP.
CONCLUSIONS:
The level of awareness of Doxy-PEP is low in the two hospitals whereas the willingness to use it is high. Awareness or education on Doxy-PEP as a prophylaxis for STIs should be increased especially in rural communities. Healthcare providers should educate more PLHIV about Doxy-PEP and its role in STI prevention.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
