Knowledge, Attitudes, and Intentions towards HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis among Nursing Students in Spain

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Among the preventive approaches proposed to control this disease is pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), whose effectiveness depends on the medication adherence. The aim of the present study was to determine the knowledge and attitudes about PrEP among a sample of Spanish nursing students as well as their intentions of receiving it in case it was indicated. An observational cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out. A total of 570 nursing students from the University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain), ≥18 years old and of both sexes were invited to self-complete a questionnaire between February and March 2020. A total of 352 students decided to participate in the study. Participants had low knowledge [overall knowledge score 1(0–2)] and a neutral attitude towards PrEP. The intention of receiving PrEP improved significantly after the completion of the questionnaire and the administration of information about PrEP (p = 0.039; before: 23.58% and after: 93.77%). Nursing staff play an important role in the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, so their training in preventive strategies, such as PrEP, could help to reduce the incidence of new cases of HIV infection.