Abstract:
Background: Exposure to blood and body fluids is a major risk factor for the transmission of
infections that threaten the safety of patients and health workers. Among health workers, nurses
spend the greatest time in the caregiving setting than any other member of the health team. The
most effective practice of preventing blood-borne pathogen transmission is through compliance
with Standard Precautions (SPs).
This study aimed to measure the magnitude of compliance with SPs and associated factors
among nurses working in public hospitals of Jimma Zone, Southwest Ethiopia.
Methods: The study was conducted in six public hospitals of Jimma Zone, from March to April
2019. A cross-sectional study design was employed. All 335 nurses were invited to the study and
307 were responded to the questionnaire. Data were collected using a self-administered
questionnaire. Data were entered into Epi info 7 and were exported to SPSS version 23 for
analysis.
Results: Out of 307 respondents, less than one-fifth (21%) of the respondents were compliant
with standard precautions. Infection risk perception (AOR [95% CI] 5.56 [1.30 - 23.90]),
working department (AOR [95% CI] 40.05 [4.17 - 384.74]), knowledge on SPs (AOR [95% CI]
17.11[6.42 - 45.61]), risk taking personality (AOR [95% CI] 0.17 [0.06 - 0.52]), readily
accesseblity of PPE (AOR [95% CI] 4.96 [1.76 - 14.00]) and management support (AOR [95%
CI] 4.41 [1.303 - 14.91]) were found to be significantly associated.
Conclusion: Conclusion: In this study, the overall compliance level of nurses to standard
precautions guidelines was very low. Working unit, perception of risk, risk-taking personality,
exemplary behavior of colleagues, knowledge about SPs, management support, and ready
accessibility of safety materials were factors significantly associated with compliance with SPs
guidelines. Improving knowledge of nurses on SPs guidelines, the hospital management should
ensure supervision and have a system of periodically assessing compliance among their staff.
Also, accessibility of infection prevention materials and equipment in the hospitals should get
due attention
