Abstract

The study assessed compliance with universal precautions among staff and student nurses in a teaching hospital in Ogun state south west Nigeria. One hundred staff and student nurses were selected, using the convenient sampling procedure, to participate in the study. Required information was collected from the respondents via structured questionnaire. Data gathered included demographic variables, items on hand washing, method of waste disposal, and exposure to body fluid and injury. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The result showed that most of the respondents were female (85%), Christians (88%) with more than 10 years working experience (55%). Further result showed that respondents have good compliance to precautions relating to handling or care of patients and hand washing. Most of the respondents claimed they use universal compliance whether the patients are confirmed to be non-infectious (60%), where potential for exposure to infections are not anticipated (69%) or where the patient been treated is a known person or a colleague at work (86%). However, 64 percent of the respondents had experienced glove failure, 52 percent have had needle-stick injury, and 72 percent had been a victim of accidental unprotected contact with patient’s body fluid. Furthermore, many of the respondents did not take adequate precautions in relation to use of masks, gloves, goggles and protective gowns. Major factors limiting the compliance of the respondents with universal precautions include high job demands (52%), unavailable equipments (58%) and cost of equipments or materials (69%). As a provision to enhancing compliance with universal precaution among nurses the health facility (hospital), assisted by government should make provision for availability and affordability of protective materials. Emphasis on periodic and continuous training of health workers on the use of precaution should be highlighted in institutional policy.