Learning needs assessment regarding to infection control standard precautions among nurses working in Ministry of Health hospitals, in Mansoura city, Egypt

ABSTRACT

Standards precautions are designed to protect staff from risks that resulting from exposure to blood and body fluids and to protect patients from potential cross infection. Knowledge of clinical infection control practices is continually growing and changing. An assessment of nurses' knowledge of infection control precautions provides information to guide further continuing education effort. This study aimed to assess learning needs regarding to infection control standard precautions among nurses working in hospitals affiliated to ministry of health in Mansoura City. This study was cross sectional study that was conducted in four hospitals affiliated to the Ministry of Health and Population in Mansoura City. A convenience sample of 187 nurses working in inpatient departments and outpatient clinics in selected hospitals were included in the study. Data were collected by using self-administered open ended questionnaires, which were developed by researchers to measure nurses' Knowledge, practice, and attitude related to infection control precautions. The nurses showed a poor knowledge and practice regarding most categories of standard precautions in spite of most of them haves positive attitude toward applicability of most categories of standard precautions. Nurses mentioned that in-service educational programs are influenced by the limited resources and shortage of the staff. The results were supported by several studies that indicate unsatisfactory level of knowledge among nurses due to unplanned training programs. Mandatory regular base educational program must be planned to overcome the weak level of knowledge and improve and update the nursing performance regarding standard precautions