Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Standard Precautions amongst Allied Oral Healthcare Personnel In Lagos State

Abstract

Abstract Background: Allied oral healthcare practitioners such as dental technologists, dental therapists, dental technicians, dental nurses etc., are invariably exposed to patients' blood or/and body fluids and this poses a health risk to oral healthcare workers and patients. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of standard precautions (SP) amongst allied oral healthcare workers in Lagos State. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study which entailed the distribution of structured, self-administered questionnaires to a consecutively recruited convenience sample of 113 allied oral healthcare practitioners in both private and public oral healthcare facilities in Lagos State. Data entry and analysis was done using SPSS. Bivariate analysis was done to determine association between variables. P < 0.005 was considered significant. Results: Most (85%) of respondents displayed good overall knowledge of standard precautions. Majority (77%) of respondents had a positive attitude towards standard precautions. Overall practice of standard precautions amongst the participants in the study was good (92%). However, most (74.3%) of the respondents exhibited moderate correctness in the practice of standard precautions, while few (14.2%) demonstrated a high level of correctness; those with poor level of overall correctness in the practice of standard precautions were the least (11.5%). Factors chiefly associated with low or no compliance with standard precautions were lack/inadequate provision of personal protective equipment (85%), inadequate awareness on need for standard precautions (72.6%), stress associated with compliance (67.3%), and lack of basic amenities e.g. soap, water (64.6%). Conclusion: The study showed that the knowledge, attitude and practice of standard precautions among allied oral healthcare workers in both private and public healthcare facilities was fair as majority had good knowledge, attitude and practice of standard precautions. However, there is an urgent need to address the issues with reference to the barriers to compliance with standard precautions identified in the study.