Effect of training on knowledge and attitude to standard precaution among workers exposed to body fluids in a tertiary institution in south-west Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Standard precaution in the workplace reduces the risk of occupational hazards among workers exposed to body fluids of humans and animals. Training on standard precaution has been recommended as a strategy to improve knowledge, attitude and  compliance to these guidelines. This study therefore determined the effect of training on knowledge and attitude to standard precaution among workers exposed to body fluids of humans and animals in the University of Ibadan, South-west, Nigeria.
Methods: This was an interventional study among workers exposed to body fluids of humans and animals. A total survey of all faculties where staff and student come in contact with human and animal body fluid was done. Selected staff were trained for two days on standard precaution. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on socio-demographic information, knowledge and  perception of staff on standard precaution. The maximum obtainable knowledge and attitude scores were 27 and 6 points respectively. The mean knowledge and attitude score were determined at pretest and post-test. Frequency, proportion, mean and standard deviation were used for summary statistics and an independent t-test was performed to test for association. Statistical significance was set at 5%.
Results: A total of 136 and 123 responses were obtained at pre-test and posttest respectively. A little over half of the respondents were females (51.5%) and below 40 years (54.4%). The mean knowledge score among the workers increased from 22.59 ± 3.4 at pre-test to 22.83 ± 3.2 at post-test, but it was not statistically significant. However, the mean post-test attitude score (5.10 ± 1.4) was significantly different from the pre-test attitude score (4.49 ± 1.5).
Conclusion: Training improved the knowledge and attitude of workers exposed to body fluids of humans and animals working in the University of Ibadan on standard precaution. Periodic training on standard precaution is therefore recommended to sustain a proper attitude to standard precaution guidelines.