ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate factors influencing influenza infection control compliance in nurses, including knowledge about, and awareness of infection control. METHODS: The study participants were 168 nurses who worked at a hospital in J Province. Data were collected by self-reported questionnaires in April 2015. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 20.0 program. RESULTS: Mean score for knowledge about droplet precaution was 12.16 out of 16.00. Mean score for awareness about droplet precautions was 3.49 out of 4.00, and mean score for droplet precaution compliance was 3.33 out of 4.00. There was a positive correlation among knowledge, awareness and compliance (p<.001). Awareness, knowledge and experience of seasonal influenza education were the significant factors affecting the level of compliance (37.8%). CONCLUSION: Study results indicate that an educational program focusing on strategies to change nurses' awareness would be effective in improving infection control of respiratory virus and droplet precaution compliance in hospitals.
Subject(s)
Compliance , Education , Infection Control , Influenza, Human , SeasonsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Nursing students may be exposed to patients with infectious diseases such as hepatitis B and hepatitis A through needle stick injuries or close contact during their clinical practice. This study surveyed the presence of antihepatitis B virus (anti-HBV), anti-hepatitis A virus (anti-HAV), and anti-varicella zoster virus antibodies in nursing students before the initiation of their clinical practice to help prevent subsequent infections. METHODS: From 2009 to 2013, the junior students of a nursing college in Jeollabuk-do were tested for antibodies against the hepatitis B, hepatitis A, and varicella zoster viruses before the initiation of their clinical practice. RESULTS: The students tested positive for anti-HBV (46.2-57.1%), anti-HAV (0-10.5%), and anti-varicella zoster antibodies (80.2-90.2%). No significant differences in the positivity rates were observed with respect to the year of their enrollment. CONCLUSION: This study was a survey of the seroprevalence of anti-HBV, anti-HAV, and anti-varicella zoster antibodies in nursing students before they started their clinical practice. The positivity rate of anti-HAV was lower than 10%. In order to prevent infection, it is necessary to test nursing students for the presence of antibodies against hepatitis B, hepatitis A, varicella, measles, mumps, and rubella, and check their vaccination history as recommended in the adult immunization schedule. Vaccination must be recommended for students who test negative for the respective antibodies.