Knowledge of Health Care Providers of Standard Precautions and Infection Control at Students and #8217; Hospital, Mansoura University, Egypt

Abstract

Abstract Aim: to assess knowledge of Standard Precautions and infection control by health care providers (HCPs) at the Students’ Hospital, Mansoura University, Egypt. Methods: All HCPs were targeted for a cross-sectional study. A previously validated self-administered questionnaire was used to gather information regarding basic characteristics and the following knowledge domains; the general concept of standard precautions, hand hygiene, personal protective equipments, sharp disposal, environmental sanitation and care of health workers. Scoring system was assigned for different responses, with a total score of 50. Results: The mean (minimum, maximum) knowledge scores are: 28.5 (13,44) for the total score, 3.6 (0,5) for general concepts, 5.0 (0,9) for hand hygiene, 6.9 (1,10) for personal protective equipment, 2.1 (0,5) for sharp injuries and occupational infection, 5.0 (0,10) for sharp disposal and environmental sanitation, and 6.0 (1,10) for care of health care workers (HCW) domains. The mean total score and most of the domain scores show significant variation with specialty, educational level and duration of work. Compared to physicians/dentists/pharmacists, nurses are about 12 times more likely to have poor knowledge (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]=11.8, CI=6.2-22.7) and technicians/health inspectors are about 31 times more likely to have poor knowledge (AOR=31.4, CI=11.2-88.3). Conclusion: In-service training and education curricula need to be revised.