Nurses Compliance with Universal Precautions of Infection Control In Maternal and Child Health Centers

Abstract

Health centers acquired infections are a world wide problem, leading causes of death. Health care personnel are at real risk for exposure to patient's blood and body fluid through providing comprehensive and continuous care and consequential at risk of acquiring blood borne pathogens. Blood borne pathogens include hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The aim of this study is to assess the nurse's compliance with universal precautions in MCH centers. Setting This study was conducted at 23 MCH centers for health directorate in Giza. Sample a convenience sample included all nurses were working in MCH centers, the total number were 269. Two tools were used for data collection first tool was in a self – administered questionnaire for collecting data related to socio-demographic characteristics of nurses ,work characteristics and nurses knowledge about infection control measures and the second tool was an observational check - list for assessing nurses compliance to universal precautions of infection control measures. The Results this study found that approximately one third of the nurses had poor knowledge related to infection control measures and more than half of them had unsatisfactory compliance toward infection control measures, It is clear that proportion of nurses with poor knowledge has a higher unsatisfactory compliance. Conclusion the results of the study showed that nurses with poor knowledge has a higher unsatisfactory compliance. Also statistical insignificance relation between demographic characteristics of nurses and their compliance to infection control and there was statistical insignificance relation between structure environment and nurse compliance to infection control measures. Recommendation developing the training programme for nurses to strength the knowledge and improve their performance toward infection control. Adequate and appropriate supplies for compliance with infection control should be ensured for all nurses at all time.

Key words: Infection control measures, universal precautions, maternal and child health centers, compliance (performance), role of nurse.