Evaluation of the level of knowledge and compliance with standart precautions and the safety standard (NR-32) amongst physicians from a public university hospital, Brazil

Abstract

Brazil is the first country in the world to have broad coverage standard (NR-32) focused on protecting health workers exposed to biological risks. This study evaluated the degree of knowledge of the NR-32 Standard and the level of knowledge and compliance with the standard precautions. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 208 randomly selected health professionals; 93 of them were residents and 115 were physicians at a Brazilian Clinical Hospital. To collect information, the participants were interviewed and/or they completed semi-structured questionnaires divided into three domains: knowledge of the standard, knowledge of biosafety, and compliance with standard precautions. Cronbach's alpha was used to assess internal consistency of the scales of knowledge and compliance with values above +0.75 indicating excellent agreement. Multivariate linear regression was used to evaluate the predictors for compliance with NR-32, biosafety, and standard precautions. Mean knowledge of the NR-32 Standard was 2.2 (± 2.02) points (minimum 0 and maximum 7 points). The minimum expected mean was 5.25 points. The mean knowledge of biosafety was 12.31 (± 2.10) points (minimum 4 and maximum 16 points). The minimum expected mean was 12.75 points. The mean compliance with standard precautions was 12.79 (± 2.6) points (minimum 6 and maximum 18 points). The minimum expected mean was 13.5 points. The individual means for using gloves, masks and goggles during procedures and for not recapping needles were 2.69, 2.27, 1.20 and 2.14, respectively. The factors associated with knowledge of the NR-32 were: greater knowledge amongst those who studied at a public university and who had knowledge of biosafety. The knowledge of the NR-32 Standard was low, but there was a good level of knowledge of biosafety issues. The compliance with standard precautions was acceptable in general, but was low for some of the evaluated precautions.

Role of knowledge and attitude in determining standard precaution practices among nursing students

“…Our findings are similar to a study in Hong Kong and Brazil where as high as 71% rate of compliance with SPP was reported. 8,18 Average knowledge of an infectious disease in this study was 26.27 (±6.6) which is low compared to what is acceptable. However, when these scores were correlated with participants SPP the result was statistically significant (r = 0.485, p<0.05).…”

“…Studies have reported several modifiable factors to be associated with SPP. 1,[16][17][18] However, few studies have explored the role of these factors in Nigeria. With proper investigation these can serve as a blueprint for administrators, decision makers and government officials when designing and implementing intervention programs.…”

Systematic Review on the Predictors of Knowledge and Practice on Standard Precautions (Sp) Among Healthcare Workers (Hcws)

“…Marital status was also among the significant predictors of compliance with the universal precautions (La- Rotta et al, 2013). Married doctors show better compliance with the SP than single professionals.…”

Influência dos fatores individuais, relativos ao trabalho e organizacionais na adesão às precauções padrão por profissionais da odontologia

“…3,4 A fim de minimizar o risco de transmissão das infecções, as precauções padrão (PP) foram criadas e estabelecidas nos serviços de saúde, as quais compreendem um conjunto de práticas preventivas aplicadas no atendimento a todos os pacientes. [4][5][6] No entanto, para que tais recomendações sejam efetivas na prática, é necessário que o trabalhador da área da saúde adote tais comportamentos durante a realização de procedimentos assistenciais, o que exige do profissional motivação, conhecimento técnico científico e a manutenção de atitudes adequadas. 7 Embora aderir as PP signifique aderir a condutas preventivas, estudos demonstram índices insatisfatórios de adesão, como exemplos podem ser citados o uso inadequado de Equipamentos de Proteção Individual (EPIs), a prática frequente do reencape de agulhas, além da variação dos níveis de adesão de acordo com a categoria profissional.…”

“…7 Embora aderir as PP signifique aderir a condutas preventivas, estudos demonstram índices insatisfatórios de adesão, como exemplos podem ser citados o uso inadequado de Equipamentos de Proteção Individual (EPIs), a prática frequente do reencape de agulhas, além da variação dos níveis de adesão de acordo com a categoria profissional. 4,[6][7][8][9][10] Em uma pesquisa realizada nas unidades públicas odontológicas do município de Araçatuba-SP, observou-se que a grande maioria das agulhas apresentavam-se reencapadas em um ou nos dois lados. 10 No intuito de explicar os níveis de adesão às PP entre profissionais da saúde e os motivos que os levam a cumprir tais recomendações, modelos teóricos sobre adesão às PP foram desenvolvidos.…”