Abstract
BACKGROUND: Inadequate infection control in healthcare settings can increase healthcare-associated infections and worsen morbidity and mortality rates. Standard precautions, applicable to all patients with suspected or confirmed infections, safeguard both healthcare personnel and patients. This study aimed to evaluate knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding standard precautions among healthcare personnel in tertiary care hospitals across Punjab, Pakistan. METHODS: This multi-centre cross-sectional study, conducted from May to July 2019, included 600 healthcare personnel recruited via convenience sampling from tertiary care hospitals in six cities selected at random. RESULTS: Out of 533 healthcare personnel, the response rate was 88.8%. Most respondents were female (N=341, 64.2%), mean ± standard deviation (SD) age was 28.85 ±7.08 years, and mean ± SD length of service was 5.58 ± 5.78 years. Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding standard precautions were poor, and only 37.5%, 46.7% and 46.3% of respondents had good knowledge, positive attitudes and safe practices, respectively. Healthcare personnel with >10 years of experience [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.60-5.55], previous infection control training (AOR 1.96, 95% CI 1.30-2.94), professional degrees (AOR 2.04, 95% CI 1.16-3.60), and availability of infection control guidelines in their work department were more likely to have good knowledge regarding standard precautions. The availability of infection control guidelines in the work department was also significantly associated with positive attitudes (AOR 2.83, 95% CI 1.76-4.56) and safe practices (AOR 3.46, 95% CI 1.94-6.14). CONCLUSION: Knowledge, attitudes and practices of healthcare personnel regarding standard precautions were inadequate. Continuous education and certified training for healthcare personnel can improve infection control measures substantially in public healthcare settings.