Awareness and Practice of Standard Precaution for Infection Control among Student Nurses

Abstract

Infection control is a critical concern in any health care setting among healthcare providers
which include student nurses. The dearth of literature and studies among student nurses
prompted the conduct of this study. This study sought to determine the awareness and
practice of standard precaution (handwashing, safe handling of needles and other sharp
devices, and disposal of contaminated materials) for infection control among student nurses.
It also determined the relationship between awareness and practice on standard precaution for
infection control, the difference in the practice of standard precaution for infection control
when gender and year level were considered, and the predictors of practice of standard
precaution for infection control. Data were collected from 121nursing students comprising of
2nd, 3rd and 4th years. Participants were obtained through purposive sampling, from one of
the universities in the Philippines. Results showed that the awareness of the respondents was
very high, practice of standard precautions for infection control in terms of handwashing and
proper handling and disposal of contaminated materials were excellent, with very good
practice in terms of safe handling of needles and other sharp devices. There was statistically
significant relationship between awareness and practice on standard precaution in terms of
proper handling and disposal of contaminated materials, wherein those with high awareness
are more likely to have a better practice. However, there was no significant relationship
between awareness and the practice of standard precautions for infection control in terms of
handwashing and safe handling of needles and other sharp devices. Year level and gender did
not make any significant difference in the practice of standard precaution for infection control.
However, year level and gender were significant predictors of practice of standard precaution
for infection control in terms of safe handling of needles and other sharp devices, wherein
students in higher level tend to have a better practice. Awareness was a significant predictor
of practice of standard precaution for infection control in terms of proper handling and
disposal of contaminated materials, wherein the higher the awareness the better is the practice.
Standard precaution for infection control concept and proper practice should be introduced to
the students as early as their first year in the nursing program.