Factor That Influence the Use of Standard Precautions Against Occupational Exposures to Blood Fluid Among Health Workers in University College Hospital Ibadan

ABSTRACTStandard precaution is a set of infection control measures meant to reduce the risk of transmission of blood borne and other pathogens from both recognized and unrecognized sources. These measures are to be used by healthcare workers when providing care to all individuals, whether or not they appear infectious or symptomatic. Almost three million HCWs experience percutaneous exposure to blood-borne pathogens each year. Despite infection control precautions and availability of hepatitis B vaccine, health care providers remain at risk of acquiring blood borne infections. This study aimed to examine the influence factor on the use of standard precautions against occupational exposures to blood fluids among health care workers in university college hospital Ibadan. A descriptive design and close ended questionnaire was the instrument used in collection of information from respondents, the total number of questionnaires which was administered was 150, convenient sampling technique was used to select the respondents while data was analyzed by using descriptive statistics, SPSS version 20 to determine the frequency and their percentage. The result shows that majority of the respondent 96.7% agreed and believe that exposure to blood poses a risk infection for the care worker, while2.6% did not, 88.7% of the respondents were aware of the importance of using personal protective equipment (PPE) while handling blood or body fluids and 10.6% were not. All respondents 100% agreed and believe that health care workers should have access to postexposure prophylaxis (PPE) in case of blood exposure incident . Generally the findings from the study revealed that the perception of nurses and medical laboratory scientist toward the exposures to blood and body fluid, shows that they both as positive perception because majority of the respondent believe that exposure to blood poses a risk infection for the care work, which mean that the government should provide the personal protective equipment (PPE) for the health care workers, also the respondents knows the importance of using personal protective equipment and believes that healthcare works should be able to have access to the personal protective equipment (PPE). I recommended that there should be Comprehensive Training Programs: Develop and implement comprehensive training programs that emphasize the importance of standard precautions and there should be proper usage of personal protective equipment (PPE), and effective hand hygiene practices. Resource Allocation: Ensure the availability of adequate resources, including PPE, hand hygiene facilities, and disposal containers, to support healthcare workers in adhering to standard precautions.