KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF STANDARD PRECAUTION AMONG MEDICAL INTERNS AT SPHMMC, ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Abstract Background:-Health care workers (HCWs) are at risk of various occupational hazards in the hospital, including exposure to blood-borne infections, such as, HIV and hepatitis B and C virus (HBV and HCV), infection from sharps injuries and contact with body fluids. Standard or universal precautions are a set of measures formulated to prevent transmission of blood-borne pathogens when providing health care. Compliance with standard precautions has been shown to reduce the risk of exposure to blood and body fluids. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and practice of standard precaution and identify possible factors affecting the practice among SPHMMC medical interns, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods:-An institution based descriptive cross sectional study was conducted to execute this study. The study period was from June 11, 2017 – July 1, 2017. In this study all medical interns who were not included in the pre-test were included (120). Information on socio demographic characteristics and standard precaution was collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Data obtained from the questionnaire was analyzed using IBM SPSS 20 and presented using tables and graphs accordingly. Results:- The total knowledge score showed the level that 84(70%) had fair knowledge, 9(7.5%) has good knowledge and 27(22.5%) had poor knowledge. The overall practice score showed that 41(34.2%) had fair practice, while 4(3.3%) had good practice and 75(62.5%) had poor practice. An association was found between knowledge and practice (p-0.015) using chi square test. Conclusion:- According to the study medical interns had a good Knowledge towards standard precaution, but medical interns’ practices toward standard precaution in SPHMMC were not sufficient, favorable and safe enough to the expected standard. According to the findings in this research its recommended to Strengthen and integrate standard precaution with the routine services through providing training for all medical interns; provide sustainable supplies, which include all types of personal protective equipment’s, water supply, washing utensils, and other related materials that are mandatory to correct the unsafe practice. In addition the necessity of standard precaution in prevention of disease in patients must be emphasized and facilities should be improved. Key words:- Standard precaution, medical interns, knowledge & practice.