Awareness And Utilization of Universal Precaution Measures Among Health Care Workers in Ogoja General Hospital
Authors:   Department of Nursing Science College of Medical Science University of Calabar Calabar, Ndiok Akon ,   ndioka@unical.edu.ng, Anyantang Ishiaga , Aboh Irene 
Published: March 2023

Background: Health care workers are at high risk of needle stick injuries and blood-borne pathogens as they perform their clinical activities. They are exposed to blood-borne infections by pathogens, such as Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C viruses from sharps injuries and contact with blood and other body fluids. Various studies on awareness, knowledge, and compliance with universal precautions have revealed many factors that hinder the effective utilization of universal precautions. Lack of knowledge; lack of time; forgetfulness; lack of Personnel Protective Equipment; uncomfortable equipment; skin irritation, a conflict between the need to provide care and self-protection; distance to necessary equipment, lack of training, and poor electricity supply are among factors that have been identified to influence utilization of universal precautions. This study investigated the level of utilization of universal precautions and how the mitigating factors influence the utilization of universal precautions in Ogoja General Hospital. Aim: This research assessed the level of awareness and utilization of universal precaution measures among health care workers in General Hospital, Ogoja. The study was guided by three specific objectives and two research hypotheses. Method: The descriptive design method was used for this study. Instruments for data collection were self-structured validated questionnaire and observation checklist. Total population of one hundred and forty-five (145) respondents were used for the sample due to small size, hence no sampling was done. The one hundred and forty-five (140) validated questionnaires were administered and one hundred and twenty (120) were retrieved giving a response rate of 82.8%. Data were analyzed using simple percentages and Chi- Square contingency table. Results: The study results showed that 100% of health care workers in General Hospital, Ogoja were aware of universal precaution measures. The respondents utilized universal precautions; 100% of the workers washed their hands, 82.5% used safety boxes. However, 80% did not recap needles. Results further revealed that the major factor hindering compliance with universal precaution was the non-availability of equipment with a 76.7% response rate. This was followed by lack of training. 46.7% of the respondents believed that lack of training was responsible for non-compliance. It was discovered that workers, patients, and family members were protected from contracting infection with the effective implementation of hand hygiene. Inferential statistics of chi-square was used to test the hypothesis (p<0.05). The test of hypothesis established a significant relationship between awareness and utilization of universal precautions. Test of hypothesis also confirmed a significant relationship between non-availability of equipment and utilization of universal precautions. Conclusion: The study concluded that healthcare workers are aware of universal precaution measures and utilize same to render care to patients. It also concluded that availability of equipment is significantly related to the level of utilization of universal precautions. Recommendation: It was recommended that health workers should be provided with the appropriate equipment and that workshops be held periodically on universal precaution with same being included in the continuing education curriculum of all health workers. The study finally suggested further studies in other general hospitals in southern Nigeria.