This study sought to investigate associations between the perceptions of own sexual risk of
HIV transmission and knowledge of HIV by healthcare workers in a health district in
Botswana. The objectives of the study were to establish the level of knowledge of HIV
among health care workers, to assess perception of their own risk of the infection, to
establish the relationship between level of knowledge of HIV and perception of risk as
well as to provide guidance on prevention strategies for health care workers. The focus of
the study was on the personal life of a health care worker as opposed to occupational HIV
exposure.
A cross-sectional survey was conducted using self-administered anonymous
questionnaires in 32 health care workers in a health district in Botswana. There was an
80% response rate and data was analysed through descriptive statistics as well as cross
tabulations.
The average knowledge of HIV among health care workers in this study was high ranging
from moderate to excellent. HIV knowledge was based on its transmission, ART and HIV
prevention. 78.1% of the health care workers perceived they were at risk of HIV infection
in their own personal lives and this was related to high levels of knowledge related to the
infection. There was some risk taking behaviour reported in this study but it was not
significantly high. There were few health care workers with multiple sexual partners
(15.6%) and condom use was reported at 78.1%. Health care workers accurately identified
correct and consistent use of the condom as the most effective method of HIV prevention
which health care workers should also use. HIV testing was reported in 93.8% of the health
care workers and disclosure to sexual partners was also high at 87.5%. There were,
however, some misconceptions regarding oral and anal sex with some health care workers
failing to identify that oral sex is protective as opposed to the high risk anal sex. Health
care workers in this study also agreed that there should be focus on health care workers but
prevention strategies should be similar to the general population such as behaviour change
and HIV testing.