Assessment of the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Health Care Workers on Universal Precaution in North Wollo Zone, Amhara Region, North Eastern Ethiopia, 2006

Background Employing universal precautions means taking precautions with everybody. If precautions are taken with everyone, health care workers do not have to make assumptions about people's lifestyles and risk of infection. Objectives: The main objective of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of health care workers on universal precautions and factors in health institutes. Methods: This cross sectional health institution based survey was conducted in North Wollo Zone from January through September 2006. The study has used quantitative and qualitative methods. Statistical significance was determined by computing mean variations using T test and one-way ANOVA methods. Results: - The response rate for quantitative method was 93.4%. The mean knowledge score of health care workers was 2.53 ± (SD 1.17) and 156 (44.4%) of the respondents had greater or equal to the mean score. Seventy-nine (87.8%) of the observed injection practices was found to be unsafe to the health care workers and clients or community. The overall hand hygiene adherence rate was 28.34% ± (SD 27.58%). Correct hand hygiene practice has statistically significant association with availability of water, alcohol, and participating on UP trainings (OR (95% CI) = 6.89(2.66, 17.87), (OR (95% CI) = 3.95(1.46, 10.68), and (OR (95% CI) = 5.84(2.32, 14.72). Also female health care workers better adhere to hand hygiene than male (OR (95% CI) = 0.15(0.06, 0.38). According to the FGD's result luck of supplies and facilities were the main factors for unsafe practices in health institutes. Conclusion: Considerable proportion of health care workers in North Wollo had lacked proper knowledge, attitude and practice towards universal precautions. Equally health care facilities in North Wollo were not adequately prepared in supplying essential materials to safe practices. Providing training on universal precaution to all health care staff and enhancing sustainable supplies systems are recommended. Key words: universal precaution, health care ...