UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS PRACTICES AMONG REGISTERED NURSES WITHIN THE KASKASKIA COLLEGE DISTRICT IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (HEALTH PRECAUTIONS, HIV, IMMUNE DEFICIENCY).
Contributors: Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.
Published: 1991
Number of pages: 82
Subjects: Education, Health.; Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: The purpose of this study was to contribute to understanding of universal precautions practices among registered nurses in the Kaskaskia college district in Southern Illinois. The problem was: Does knowledge about transmission of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus influence compliance with universal precautions guidelines?.

Subjects were registered nurses practicing in six (all) hospitals and five nursing homes in a 5-county area in Southern Illinois. The questionnaire consisted of knowledge items about HIV/AIDS (independent variable). The dependent variables were: handwashing, use of gloves, and handling needles. Sub-groups were established around demographic data that consisted of: number of years as registered nurse, place of employment (hospital or nursing home), and type of nursing education program attended when basic nursing was learned. The overall return rate was 38% (163).

Findings indicated that respondents possessed more general knowledge about HIV/AIDS (mean score 87) than about specific modes of transmission of HIV (mean score 77). No differences in mean knowledge scores were found between basic education programs or number of years of experience. No relationship was found between knowledge and practice.

Reasons selected most frequently for not using universal precautions were: "Barriers decrease my dexterity" and "interferes with nurse-patient relationship.".

Nurses reported 1,102 incidents involving exposure to blood or body fluids during the past six months. This finding was important and indicated that nurses who practice in the rural setting represented by this study are experiencing high risk incidents involving blood and body fluids.

Findings indicated the need for the development of teaching-learning methods that are effective in bringing about attitude and behavior changes. The need for improved teaching-learning methods for inservice and continuing education offerings for all levels of health-care providers is paramount.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 53-06, Section: A, page: 1806.

Thesis (PH.D.)--SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY AT CARBONDALE, 1991.

School code: 0209.