2024/07/13 by Ogbeyi, Gabriel Ofikwu, Amali, Adekwu, Okpe, Amede Peter +2
#Universal #practice and Nigeria #standard
paper · doi:10.60787/tnhj.v19i3.460
Background: Adequate provisions for health care workers to observe proper universal standard precaution are lacking in most health facilities in developingcountries. This has contributed immensely in exposing many health care workers to infectious diseases such as hepatitis B and C viruses, human immunodefiency virus, tuberculosis etc. Budgetary allocations to infection control in many hospitals are rising because of challenges of universal standard precaution. This study assessed knowledge, attitude and practice of universal standard precaution among hospital staff in a secondary health facility in Nigeria. Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was employed in this study. The calculated sample size was 76 and all the nurses and waste handlers were recruited into the study. Results: A total of 76 respondents were assessed in this study. Overall, majority(>77%) had good knowledge, attitude and practice of universal precaution. All the respondents(100%) were aware of universal standard precaution; and majority (68%) were females. Furthermore most(85%) became aware of universal standard precaution through workshops and seminars. More than 72% agreed that they would carry out procedures in patients infected with hepatitis B and C and human immunodefiency virus. Conclusion: Universal standard practice is a fundamental tool in reducing incidence and prevalence of infectious diseases particularly in a hospital setting. Hospitals and clinics should concentrate on the job training for effective improvement in knowledge, attitude and practice in poor resource environment like Nigeria.