Knowledge and Practice of universal precautions among nursing students & staff in Santosh Medical College & Hospital District, Ghaziabad

Authors

  • Atish Anand Assistant Professor, Santosh Medical College, Ghaziabad, U.P., India.
  • Ravi Kant Sehgal Professor, Santosh Medical College, Ghaziabad,U.P., India

Keywords:

Universal precautions, nursing staff , occupational hazards, simple techniques.

Abstract

Background: “Universal precautions” is the international term used by the medical industry to describe the set of measures introduced to allow medical staff to safely handle material that may carry blood or body fluids infected with diseases.“Universal precautions” are designed to prevent infection from inoculation; contact with mucous membranes such as mouth or eye, or through skin damages such as cuts. Nurses constitute the largest percentage of the health care workers. By using simple techniques of universal precautions nurses can avoid dangerous occupational hazards and the knowledge of prevention of blood borne diseases can make them confident to deal with patients suffering from HIV and HBV. So, this study was planned to assess the knowledge and evaluate the practices of universal precautions among the nursing staff.Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted among nursing staff of SMC&H. The study period was two months with 50 sample size. Data  was collected with the help of  structured questionnaire. Data was compiled in Microsoft excel & analysis was done  by using SPPS version 20.Results: About 84% of the staff nurses had knowledge regarding blood route transmission of HIV (p<0.05). Nearly 74% of them had knowledge regarding HCV (p=0.001). About 66% of them had knowledge regarding blood route transmission of HBV(p=0.024). Statistically significant results were obtained for hand washing with soap and water as well as antiseptic.Conclusion: Interventions to improve Universal Precautions compliance among HCWs in tertiary health care facilities in India are urgently needed. A multifaceted approach promoting positive perception of UPs compliance should include training (initial and periodic), adequate supply of PPE, provision of hepatitis B vaccination and development of appropriate infection control and injury surveillance programmes.

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Published

2020-12-30

How to Cite

Anand, A., & Sehgal, R. K. (2020). Knowledge and Practice of universal precautions among nursing students &amp; staff in Santosh Medical College &amp; Hospital District, Ghaziabad. International Journal of Health and Clinical Research, 3(12), 52–56. Retrieved from https://ijhcr.com/index.php/ijhcr/article/view/557