A study on awareness and practice regarding standard precautions of infection control and bio-medical waste management among nursing staffs of BGS global institute of medical sciences and hospital, Bengaluru

Abstract

Introduction: Standard precautions are meant to reduce the risk of transmission of blood-borne and other pathogens from both recognized and unrecognized sources. They are the basic level of infection control precautions, which are to be used, as a minimum, in the care of all patients. This study aims at assessing the knowledge and practice of nursing staff about Standard Precautions.Objectives: To assess the level of awareness and practice of standard precautions for infection control among nursing staff. To find association between knowledge and practice of nursing staff regarding standard precautions and selected base line variables.Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted at BGS GIMS by universal sampling method during the month of October 2018. A self-administered questionnaire consisting of 3 sections, socio-demographic data, knowledge and practice was given to each of the participants. A total of 45 questions were included.Results: The study was conducted on 104 nursing staff working at BGSGIMS Hospital.In the study population it was found that only 20% had good knowledge on standard precautions. And only 33% of the study population had good level of practice of standard precautions. Among the study population who had received training regarding standard precautions, only 27.3% had good knowledge on standard precautions.Conclusion: This study highlights inadequate knowledge about awareness and practice of standard precautions and about the spread of hospital acquired infections. Training in standard precautions to be imparted in all categories of staff in the hospital.