Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices related to standard precautions among nurses: A comparative study

Area of Science:

• Infection Prevention and Control
• Nursing Practice
• Global Health

Background:

• Standard precautions (SPs) are crucial for preventing pathogen transmission in healthcare settings.
• Despite promotion, SPs are not universally practiced, particularly in resource-limited countries like China and Ethiopia.
• Healthcare workers (HCW) are at risk of blood-borne and other pathogen exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) of standard precautions (SPs) among nurses in China and Ethiopia.
• To identify disparities in SP adherence between the two countries.
• To inform infection prevention strategies in resource-constrained settings.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive, cross-sectional, comparative study was conducted using the STROBE guideline.
• A convenience sample of 357 nurses (237 Chinese, 120 Ethiopian) completed self-administered questionnaires.
• KAP related to SPs were measured in one teaching hospital in each country.

Main Results:

• Nurses in both China and Ethiopia possessed a good understanding of SP concepts.
• Ethiopian nurses showed lower acceptance of infection control policies and significantly lower personal protective equipment (PPE) usage (except aprons and goggles) compared to Chinese nurses.
• Limited medical resources in Ethiopia contributed to poorer adherence to PPE use.

Conclusions:

• Chinese nurses exhibited superior knowledge and practices concerning SPs, while both groups maintained favorable attitudes.
• Enhancing formal and on-the-job training, implementing targeted infection prevention strategies, and ensuring adequate medical supplies are vital for improving Ethiopian infection control.
• Findings offer insights into low SP compliance in resource-limited settings, aiding the development of effective infection prevention and control strategies.