Abstract
Objectives: To assess knowledge, attitudes & practice (KAP) of physicians and nurses working at King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH) towards the universal precautions (UP) needed for preventing blood-borne pathogens (BBP)
Design: Cross-sectional design
Setting: KAUH, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Subjects: A total of 400 health care workers (HCWs) were selected from the inpatient and outpatient departments of KAUH.
Intervention(s): A validated, anonymous, interviewing questionnaire was used during 2016/2017. Knowledge of HCWs was assessed through nine questions. Attitudes were determined through twelve statements answered on a three-point Likert scale. Self-reported practices were evaluated through twelve questions. Knowledge and practice scores were calculated. Descriptive and inferential statistics were done.
Main outcome measure(s): KAP of physicians and nurses towards UP needed for preventing BBP
Results: Most of the participants correctly identified that UP are required for all body fluids and for all patients. Younger participants, those with shorter working experience, physicians (especially resident), and those from non-surgical departments had significantly (p < 0.05) better knowledge scores compared to others. HCWs had generally good attitudes towards UP. Nurses, females, older participants, and those with longer working experience had significantly better UP practices than others. Conclusion: Health care workers have relatively good attitudes and practices towards UP needed for preventing BBP. However, some areas of knowledge need improvement like knowledge about the infectivity of BBP, and the required post exposure prophylaxis.
Conduction of more specific pre-service, on job training and educational programs on UP are required for all HCWs.