Abstract:
Introduction: Standard precautions are minimum infection control practices used to
prevent the transmission of diseases and apply to all patient care. Nursing students
are at high risk of exposure to occupational biologic hazards because they are
obligated to provide care to patients admitted with unknown infection statuses.
compliance with standard precautions is an effective and efficient means of infection
prevention. However, their compliance with standard precautions was sub optimal.
Objective: To assess compliance with standard precautions and associated factors
among undergraduate BSc nursing students at governmental universities of Amhara
region, northwest Ethiopia, 2021.
Methods: Institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted. A simple random
sampling technique with a lottery method was used to select 423 samples. After
obtaining consent data was collected using a structured self-administered
questionnaire, entered into EPI info version 7, and was analyzed using SPSS version
20. Descriptive statistics including, frequencies, percentages, mean, median and
standard deviation were computed and presented by using tables, graphs, and texts.
Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was computed considering
p<0.05 to be statistically significant.
Result; The response rate of study was 97.9 %
The overall compliance of nursing students with standard precaution was low. The
major factors associated with good compliance were good knowledge, a perceived
safe workplace, and having seminars or training in the last six months. Training,
enhancing knowledge, and creating a safe hospital environment are recommended to
improve nursing student’s compliance with standard precautions.