J. Lohitharajah

M. T. M. Thanis

R. M. C. D. Maithreepala

S. G. L. P. N. Samarasinghe

W. N. Rangana

Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases

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Sri Lankan Society for Microbiology  Sri Lankan Journal of Infectious Diseases 2021 Vol 11 (Supplement) S2:3  
9th  Annual conference and scientific sessions 2020        DOI : http://doi.org/10.4038/sljid.v11i0.8366 
________________________________________ 
1Department of Supplementary Health Sciences, Faculty of Health-Care Sciences, Eastern University, Sri Lanka 
2Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Health-Care Sciences, Eastern University, Sri Lanka   
Address for correspondence: Janarthani Arulnathan. Telephone: +94775022243   Email: janarthani.l@gmail.com    
     https://orcid.org/https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1354-8548  
 Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding standard precautions among nurses in 
Teaching Hospital Batticaloa 
SGLPN Samarasinghe1, RMCD Maithreepala1, WN Rangana1, MTM Thanis1, J Lohitharajah2 
Introduction 
Hospital Acquired infection (HAI) is a major health problem globally and standard precautions are 
recommended to prevent HAI. As part of the health care team, nurses play a vital role in controlling 
HAI. This study was aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of nurses about 
standard precautions (SP).   
Methods 
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among nurses working in Teaching Hospital 
Batticaloa between February–March 2020. A pretested, structured self-administered questionnaire 
assessing core elements of KAP on standard precautions was used to collect the data. Percentage 
KAP scores were calculated and the level of KAP were determined. Descriptive analysis was done 
using SPSS software v.25.   
Results 
A total of 367 nurses participated in the study of whom 41.1% and 35.4% were in the age groups 
of 21-30 and 31-40 years respectively with male: female ratio of 1:3.8. Most of the participants 
(42.5%) were working in wards with experience ranging from 01 month to 38 years. Only 13.4% 
received training on SP while 3.3% of participants were unaware about SP.  Most of the 
participants (53.1%) had heard of SP mainly from the infection control unit while 21.8% learned 
from their own experience. Among the participants 73.8% had good knowledge, 56.4% had an 
average attitude and 94.6% had good practice. Knowledge score was significantly associated with 
place of work (p = 0.018) and work experience (p = 0.007). 
Conclusion 
Educational programs concerning various aspects of standard precautions is recommended to 
strengthen knowledge, alter attitude and enhance adherence of nursing professionals to SPs. 
Keywords: Standard precaution (SP), knowledge, attitude, practice, Nurses 


Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding standard precautions among nurses in Teaching Hospital Batticaloa

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Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding standard precautions among nurses in Teaching Hospital Batticaloa

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