COMPLIANCE WITH STANDARD PRECAUTIONS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG UNDERGRADUATE NURSING STUDENTS AT GOVERNMENTAL UNIVERSITIES OF AMAHARA REGION, NORTHWEST ETHIOPIA,2021.

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.