Abstract:

Background: Pre exposure prophylaxis and post exposure ART prophylaxis is considered the standard preventive measure against HIV infection among the exposed. Several clinical studies have demonstrated that HIV transmission can be reduced by 81% following the immediate administration of antiretroviral agents. With number of interventions undertaken to scale up uptake of ART prophylaxis in line with behaviour change programs especially in high risk population in Tanzania. Little is known about knowledge, attitude and ART prophylaxis uptake among university at Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences [CUHAS – Bugando].

Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional study in which 296 Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences [CUHAS – Bugando] students were interviewed, data was computerized and analysed using SPSS version.

Results: The prevalence of ART prophylaxis uptake among those exposed was 0%, 200 (67.8%) of participants reported to have received seminars on HIV, while 246 (82.6%) reported to have heard of ART post exposure prophylaxis and only 200 (67.8%) reported to have heard about ART pre exposure prophylaxis. Majority 260 (87.2%) of participants agreed that ART prophylaxis is important. Majority 250 (83.9%) of participants agreed that ART prophylaxis reduces the risk of HIV infection.

Conclusion: This study found that the prevalence of ART prophylaxis uptake among university students to be very low compared to other studies, even though many of the students had HIV risky exposure, the reported proportion of university students that were exposed and did not take the ART is high. There is also high knowledge on ART prophylaxis and the positive attitude among university students in Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences [CUHAS – Bugando]. The study recommends more study on prevalence of ART prophylaxis uptake, enforcement of HIV/AIDS policy and ART guidelines in university and awareness programs (like seminars) as well as counselling services.