Awareness and Practice of Standard Precautions for Infection Control among Student Nurses
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Abstract
Infection control knowledge is critical among healthcare providers. This study sought to determine the awareness and practice of standard precautions (handwashing, safe handling of needles and other sharp devices, and disposal of contaminated materials) for infection control among student nurses. Students (N=121) were surveyed through purposive sampling. Respondent awareness was very high to excellent for practices involving handwashing along with proper handling and disposal of contaminated materials, with very good practice in the safe handling of sharps. There was a statistically significant positive relationship between awareness and practice in the handling and disposal of contaminated materials. However, no such relationship was shown with handwashing and safe handling of sharps. Year level and gender did not make any significant difference in safety practices. However, year level and gender were significant predictors of the practice of standard precautions for infection control in terms of safe handling of sharps, wherein students at higher training levels tended to have better practices. Awareness was a significant predictor of the practice of standard precautions involving proper handling and disposal of contaminated materials; the higher the awareness, the better was the practice. This study affirmed that awareness of standard precautions for infection control promoted better practice.
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