Patient safety knowledge, attitude and practice among undergraduate health science students in South West Ethiopia

Abstract

BackgroundPatient safety is minimizing the risk of unnecessary damage associated with healthcare to a minimum. It has been linked as a global precedence area where substantial knowledge gaps exist. Knowledge, attitude, and practice of the healthcare providers toward patient safety have a great influence on the delivery of safe patient care. Regardless of this, the issue has not been adequately addressed in Ethiopia.ObjectiveThe main aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, practice, and factors associated with patient safety practice among undergraduate health science students at Jimma University Institute of Health.MethodsAn institution-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from May to November 2021. Data were collected from 678 undergraduate health science students using a pretested, structured and self-administered questionnaire. EPI data 3.1 was used for data entry, and SPSS version 25 was used for analysis. A binary logistic regression model was utilized to identify factors associated with outcome variables. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval and P < 0.05 were computed to determine the level of significance.ResultsOf the total students, only 293 (43.2%) and 308 (45.4%) had good knowledge and positive attitudes toward patient safety, respectively. Moreover, only 135 (19.9%) of the students had good practices regarding patient safety. Year of study [AOR = 3.75, 95% CI: (2.3, 9.3)], duration on practical attachment [AOR = 2.6, 95% CI: (1.2, 5.9)], and knowledge about patient safety [AOR = 2.9, 95% CI: (1.9, 3.4)] were associated with better patient safety practices.ConclusionIn the current study the practice of patient safety among health science students was low and less than half of the students had good knowledge and favorable attitudes toward patient safety. Patient safety practices were influenced by the length of the clinical attachment, the study year, and the knowledge of patient safety. This calls for patient safety courses to be included in training curricula of undergraduate health sciences students.

Knowledge and Perceived Competence of Undergraduate Nursing Students on Patient Safety Among Selected Nursing Colleges, Bengaluru

“…The study also reported that only 19.9% of the participants had good patient safety practices. Duration of clinical exposure, year of study and knowledge on patient safety were linked with good patient safety practices (8) . Another study conducted among nurses in Ethiopia also reported that only 48.4% of the participants had good knowledge on patient safety and 56.1% had favourable attitude towards patient safety.…”

“…The knowledge and duration of clinical exposure of nursing students were found to be the factors influencing patient safety practices. It is recommended that education programs for healthcare professionals incorporate essential patient safety content and language to enhance their abilities in safeguarding patients (8). Promoting patient safety within healthcare organisations can be achieved through collaborative teamwork, effective communication, and a comprehensive set of measures aimed at preventing errors.…”

Kiến Thức Về an Toàn Người Bệnh Của Sinh Viên Điều Dưỡng, Hộ Sinh Trường Đại Học Y Dược Cần Thơ Và Một Số Yếu Tố Liên Quan

“…Kết quả này tương đồng với các nghiên cứu được thực hiện trước đây. Cụ thể theo nghiên cứu của Mohammed thực hiện trên 678 sinh viên tại Ethiopia chỉ có 293 sinh viên (chiếm 43,2%) có kiến thức tốt về an toàn người bệnh [5]. Tương tự, theo nghiên cứu của Jones và cộng sự thực hiện nhằm mục tiêu đánh giá kiến thức của sinh viên điều dưỡng về an toàn người bệnh, với 2011 sinh viên năm cuối tại Úc và New Zealand tham gia, kết quả nghiên cứu cho thấy rằng khoảng một nửa sinh viên điều dưỡng có kiến thức tốt về an toàn người bệnh và kiến thức này tăng dần theo kinh nghiệm thực hành lâm sàng của sinh viên [6].…”