Arif A, Shah Sia, Mumtaz A, Chughtai AS.
Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Standard Precautions among Nursing Professionals at a Teaching Hospital.
Biomedica Jan ;33(4):314-9.

Background: Standard precautions (SPs) are considered essential in curtailing the menace of infections. Local data on the use of SPs by healthcare workers are almost non-existent. This studyexplored the nursing professional?s knowledge, perceptions and adherence to SPsat a local teaching hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional exploratory survey of nurses (n = 50) working at Central Park Teaching Hospital (CPTH)was conducted between March-May 2017, using a comprehensive questionnaire assessing their knowledge, compliance and attitude toward SPs as well as availability and accessibility of safety equipment. Results: Forty eight of the 50 nurses surveyedhad received formal training regarding SPswhile 49 expressed fair knowledge of SPs. High compliance (97%) with handwashing while low compliance (65%) with the use of gloves was observed. A high proportion (72% of nurses) considered SPs as idealistic, waste of resource and interference inwork and 84% accepted overlooking compliance with SPs when under heavy workload. Almost all respondents deemed institutional provision of sharps bins, masks, gloves and antiseptic liquids as acceptable but more than half described availability and/or accessibility to surgical gloves, eye goggles and plastic aprons as unsatisfactory. Most nurses (> 80%) perceived occupational health risks adequately but the practice of post-exposure screening and prophylactic vaccination was seen in less than 35% of the nurses. Conclusion: A fair level of knowledge and compliance to SPs was observed with a few shortcomings identified particularly in the attitude and perception towards SPs. Institution of teaching programs, surveillance mechanisms and appropriate provision of safety utilities is recommended to strengthen knowledge, alter attitude and enhance adherence of nursing professionals to SPs.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com