ASSESSMENT OF LEVEL OF COMPLIANCE TOWARDS STANDARD PRECAUTIONS AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS AT SAINT PAUL’S HOSPITAL MILLENNIUM MEDICAL COLLEGE

Abstract

Abstract Background: Healthcare worker should have sound compliance with standard precautions. In many studies, compliance with standard precautions among healthcare workers was reported to be inadequate. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess compliance with standard precautions and associated factors among healthcare workers at SPHMMC. Methods and Materials: An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 12-May 7, 2018. The study was conducted at SPHMMC, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 169 participants. Data were entered into SPSS Ver.20 for further analysis. Multivariable logistic regression with 95% CI at P ≤ 0.05 was calculated to identify associated factors. Results: The proportion of healthcare workers who always comply with standard precautions was found to be 21.1%. Being a female healthcare worker (AOR [95% CI] 4.44 [1.33-14.82]), long work experience (AOR [95% CI] 2.12 [1.17-3.77]), training on standard precautions (AOR [95% CI] 7.24 [1.56-33.6]), accessibility of personal protective equipment (AOR [95% CI] 2.66 [1.19-5.96]), presence of written materials (AOR [95% CI] 3.42 [1.42-8.28]), feedback for safety practice (AOR [95% CI] 5.86 [1.62-21.2]), and supervisor’s encouragement (AOR [95% CI] 3.67 [1.62-8.31]) were found to be statistically significant. Conclusions and Recommendations: This study concluded that Compliance with standard precautions among the healthcare workers is very low. Interventions which include training of healthcare workers on standard precautions, fulfilling infection prevention equipment, providing copies of standard precautions in ward and consistent management support are recommended. Key words: Infection Prevention and Control, Hospital acquired infections, Health Care Workers, Standard Precautions, Compliance