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

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare the Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) pertaining to standard precautions (SPs) among nurses in China and Ethiopia. BACKGROUND: SPs are guidelines for reducing the risk of transmission of blood-borne and other pathogens in hospital settings. SPs have been widely promoted to protect healthcare workers (HCW); however, these are not fully practised worldwide, especially in resource-constrained countries like China and Ethiopia. DESIGN: A descriptive, cross-sectional, comparative study was performed between February-April 2018. The study followed the "Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology" (STROBE) guideline. METHODS: Self-administered questionnaire survey of a convenience sample of 357 nurses (237 Chinese and 120 Ethiopian nurses) from one teaching hospital each in China and Ethiopia. KAP pertaining to SPs were measured. RESULTS: Nurses of both countries were found to have a good understanding of the concept of SPs; however, the acceptance to organisation of policies for prevention of hospital-acquired infections (HAI) was lower in Ethiopia. Fewer medical resources in Ethiopia resulted in poorer adherence to use of personal protective equipment (PPE). The usage rate of PPE (except apron and goggles) among Ethiopian nurses was significantly lower than that among Chinese nurses. CONCLUSIONS: Both Ethiopian and Chinese nurses showed favourable attitudes towards SPs; however, Chinese nurses reported better knowledge and practices. The organisation should strengthen formal and on-the-job training, implement targeted infection prevention strategies and provide adequate medical supplies to improve infection control in Ethiopia. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Our findings highlight some of the reasons for low compliance to SPs in both countries and potentially other similar settings. The information provided here can help develop infection prevention and control strategies for resource-constrained countries.