PERCEPTION AND PRACTICES OF STANDARD PRECAUTIONS AMONG HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS AT TERTIARY CARE HOSPITALSIN COASTAL SOUTH INDIA

Objectives: Health care professionals are constantly exposed to blood and other body fluids in the course of their work. Standard precautions are a simple set of effective practices designed to protect health workers and patients from infections. Hence, the present study was undertaken to know the extent of occupational exposure, perception and the reasons for noncompliance towards practice of standard precautions among the health care professionals.Methods: A cross sectional study was done among health care professionals working in four tertiary care teaching hospitals. A semi-structured questionnairewas used to collect information related to socio demographic details, history related to occupational exposure to blood/ body fluids, risk perception, perception and practice of standard precautions and the reasons for non-compliance of standard precautions. Data analysis was done by using SPSS Version 11.5 and results obtained were expressed in proportions. Chi square test was used to compare the perception, practices and reasons for non-compliance of standard precautions among doctors and nurses. P value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant.Results:The perception regarding standard precautions was generally observed to be good among health care professionals in the study and the application of this knowledge however, in day to day practice was considerably lower. The most common reason for non-compliance towards practice of standard precautions among healthcare professionals was prioritizing the patient's need in emergency conditions and their busy work schedule. Conclusion:Non-compliance to standard precautions despite of the knowledge of the possibility of acquiring hazardous infections is a serious cause of concern. Keywords Perception and practices; Standard precautions; Health care professionals: South Indi