Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Universal Safety Precautions Among Health Workers

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Universal safety precaution are standardized measures and practices that protect health care providers from contracting infectious diseases. Effective practices and good attitude towards universal safety precaution reduce morbidity and mortality among health personnel. Objective: the study was conducted to assess the knowledge, practice and attitude towards universal safety precautions among health workers in Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital Lafia, Nasarawa state. Method: Cross sectional descriptive research design was adopted for the study. 59 nurses, midwives and doctors were selected by convenient sampling techniques to participate in the research. Questionnaire was used as a tool for collection of data from respondents. 60 questionnaired were administered but only 59 returned. Result: findings of the study revealed majority of the participants 55 (93%) had good knowledge of universal safety precautions, 89.5% of them practiced universal safety precautions, 36 (77.8%) had very good attitude towards universal safety precautions, 28% had good attitude to universal safety precautions while 28% had poor attitude towards universal safety precautions. Conclusion: From the findings of the study, it was identified health workers in DASH Lafia had good knowledge of universal safety precautions therefore, it is important to provide periodic training on infection prevention and control and all stakeholders should endeavour to provide all basic materials required for health workers to continue adhere to the practices.
Key words: universal safety precaution, Attitude, Knowledge, Practice