- The Complete Research Material is averagely 52 pages long and it is in Ms Word Format, it has 1-5 Chapters.
- Major Attributes are Abstract, All Chapters, Figures, Appendix, References.
- Study Level: BTech, BSc, BEng, BA, HND, ND or NCE.
- Full Access Fee: ₦4,000
Get the complete project »

ABSTRACT
Standard precautions are a set of guidelines that aim to protect health care workers from infections from blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions except sweat, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes while providing care to patients. However, compliance to the standard precautions is often low in low-income countries in spite of the greater risk of infection. This study examined the knowledge and practice of standard precautions among health care workers in public secondary health facilities in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. A quantitative descriptive survey was conducted with 83 doctors and 194 nurses using a structured questionnaire. Findings show suboptimal knowledge and practice of the standard precautions among the health care workers. Knowledge of post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV was low as well as hepatitis B immunization among the respondents. A lack or irregular supply of essential materials, such as personal protective equipment, was the main reason the respondents did not comply to the precautions. This report recommends the development and implementation of a comprehensive infection prevention and control program in health facilities in order to ensure compliance to the standard precautions by health care workers.
CHAPTER 1
ORIENTATION TO THE STUDY
1.1 INTRODUCTION
Universal precautions are a set of guidelines that aim to protect health care workers (HCWs) from blood-borne infections (Bennett & Mansell 2004: 1017–9). In 1987, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) proposed the concept of “universal precautions” originally designed to protect health care workers from exposure to bloodborne pathogens. In 1996, CDC recommended that universal precautions be renamed standard precautions, which combine the major features of the universal precautions and body substance isolation (BSI). The precautions apply to all body fluids including blood, secretions, and excretions (except sweat) regardless of whether or not they contain visible blood, skin that is not intact, mucous membranes, any unfixed tissue or organ (other than intact skin) from human (living or dead), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or hepatitis B virus (HBV) containing culture medium or other solutions (Standard/Universal Precautions 2007).
Under the standard precautions, blood and body fluid of all patients are considered potentially infectious for HIV, HBV and other blood-borne pathogens. Standard precautions is regarded as an effective means of protecting HCWs, patients, and the public, thus reducing hospital acquired infections (Wang, Fennie, Burgess & Williams 2003:187–194). Standard precautions are designed to prevent health care workers from being exposed to potentially infected blood and body fluid by applying the fundamental principles of infection control, through hand washing, utilization of appropriate protective barriers such as gloves, mask, gown, and eye wear (Motamed, BabMahmoodi, Khaliilian, Peykanheirati & Nozari 2006:1205). In addition, the standard precautions stipulate that HCWs take precautions to prevent injuries caused by needles, scalpels, and other sharp instruments or devices during procedures and disposal (CDC 1996).
1.2 BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
1.2.1 The source of the research problem
Standard precautions are practiced in high-income countries to protect HCWs from occupational exposure to blood and the consequent risk of infection with blood-borne pathogens. The situation is different in low-income countries, where standard precautions are partially practiced (Kermode, Jolley, Langkham, Thomas, Holmes & Gifford 2005: 27– 33).
1.2.2 Background to the research problem
The practice of standard precautions is being widely promoted to protect HCWs from occupational exposure to body fluids and consequent risk of infection with blood-borne pathogens. HCWs are potentially exposed to blood-borne and other infections through contact with body fluids while performing their duties. HCWs frequently provide care to patients whose HBV, HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) status is unknown, and individuals may be asymptomatic for months to years while being infectious. The occupational health of the health care workforce of about 35 million people globally, representing about 12% of the working population, has been neglected (Wilburn & Eijkemans 2004: 451). About three million HCWs worldwide receive percutaneous exposure to blood-borne pathogens each year. These injuries may result in 15,000 HCV, 70,000 HBV and 500 HIV infections, and more than 90% of these infections occur in developing countries. Worldwide, about 40% of HBV and HCV infections and 2.5% of HIV infections in HCWs are attributable to occupational sharps exposures, which are mainly preventable (WHO 2002: 74). The health consequences of these infections are enormous. For instance, about 60–85% of HCV infections result in chronic liver disease and a risk for liver cirrhosis and liver cancer (CDC 1998: 1–39).
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (2002) estimates that 5.6 million HCWs worldwide, who handle sharp devices, are at risk of occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens. Needle stick injuries were shown to be the commonest (75.6%) mechanism for occupational exposure in a Nigerian teaching hospital (Orji, Fasubaa & Onwudiegwu 2002:75–78). These injuries are usually under-reported for so many reasons, which include stigma that could be associated with an eventual infection with HIV in the affected HCW. There is no immunization for HIV and HCV, thus the most effective prevention is through regular practice of the standard precautions.
1.3 RESEARCH PROBLEM
Compliance to standard precautions is low in public secondary health facilities, especially in resource-limited settings, thus exposing HCWs to the risk of infection. Occupational safety of HCWs is often neglected in low-income countries in spite of the greater risk of infection due to higher disease prevalence, low level awareness of the risks associated with occupational exposure to blood, inadequate supply of personal protective equipment (PPE), and limited organizational support for safe practices (Sagoe-Moses, Pearson, Perry & Jagger 2001: 538–41). Blood and other body fluids from patients are becoming increasingly hazardous to those who provide care for them. There is therefore a need for adequate measures to ensure compliance to standard precautions and reduce the risk of infection among HCWs (Bamigboye & Adesanya 2006: 112–116).
1.4 AIM OF THE STUDY
1.4.1 Research purpose
The purpose of this research is to determine the knowledge, practice and factors affecting the utilization of standard precautions among health care workers in public secondary health facilities in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Nigeria.
1.4.2 Research objectives
The research objectives are to:
• assess the knowledge of standard precautions among health care workers in public secondary health facilities in Abuja;
• determine the practice of standard precautions among health care workers in public secondary health facilities in Abuja;
• identify factors affecting the practice of standard precautions among health care workers in public secondary health facilities in Abuja.
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This study examines the knowledge and practice of standard precautions among two categories of health care workers (doctors and nurses) in secondary health facilities in FCT. It also examines the factors promoting or inhibiting the practice. Findings from the study will be used by the Health and human Services Secretariat (HHSS) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), the hospital management, and other stakeholders in planning and targeting appropriate measures/interventions to improve compliance to standard precautions among health care workers. The health care workers will be the ultimate beneficiary of interventions that will be based on findings from the study.
1.6 DEFINITION OF TERMS
• Knowledge: The Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary (2001: 658) defines knowledge as the information, understanding and skills that one gains through education or experience. It also defines knowledge as the state of knowing about a particular fact or situation. In this study, knowledge refers to the awareness of basic principles of standard precautions.
• Practice: Practice is the usual or expected way of doing something in a particular organization or situation (Oxford 2001: 912). In this study, practice refers to the extent that health care workers implement recommended strategies of standard precautions.
• Standard precautions: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines standard precautions as a group of infection prevention practices that apply to all patients, regardless of suspected or confirmed infection status, in any setting in which healthcare is delivered. It is based on the assumption that every person is infected or colonized with an organism that could be transmitted in the healthcare setting and thus health care workers need to apply infection control practices during the delivery of health care. The same definition/assumption applies in this study.
• Nurses: Nurses are persons whose jobs are to take care of the sick or injured people, usually in a hospital (Oxford Learners Dictionary 2001:801). In this study, nurses refer
to registered nurses and nurse/midwives working in public secondary health facilities in FCT.
• Doctors: A doctor is a person who has been trained in medical science and whose job is to treat ill or injured people (Oxford 2001: 343). In this study, doctors refer to graduates of medical schools working as medical practitioners in public secondary health facilities in FCT.
• Occupational exposure: Occupational exposure is defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of US Department of Labour as reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that may result from the performance of an employee's duties. The same definition applies in this study.
• Blood-borne infections: OSHA defines blood-borne infections as infections from pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, HBV and HIV. In this study, blood-borne infections are infections from pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood, are capable of causing disease in human, and are predominantly transmitted via blood and blood contact.
1.7 RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHOD
This is a descriptive quantitative cross-sectional study that describes and examines factors associated with the practice of standard precautions. The study population consists of health care workers (doctors, nurses) in public secondary health facilities in FCT, who were sampled using the multistage stratified sampling technique. A structured, pre-coded questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents.
1.8 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
One limitation of this study was the self-report method of assessment of practice of standard precautions; the level of adherence to standard precautions may have been better assessed by observation, although observation will likely influence normal routines.
Also, some of the information requested in the data collecting tool may be under-reported due to recall bias, but to minimize this limitation, a short period of recall (three months) was requested in the questionnaire.
1.9 STRUCTURE OF THE DISSERTATION
This research report is presented in five chapters: (1) Orientation to the Study, (2) Literature Review, (3) Research Design and Method, (4) Analysis, Presentation and Description of Research Findings, and (5) Conclusions and Recommendations.
Chapter 1: Orientation to the study provides background information (which includes the risk of occupational exposure by HCWs) as well as the aim and significance of the study.
Chapter 2: Literature Review explores the literature, documents and other studies on knowledge and practice of standard precautions by HCWs.
Chapter 3: Research Design and Method explains the methods of data collection, sampling technique, study population, and ethical considerations.
Chapter 4: Analysis, Presentation and Description of Research Findings presents and analyzes the key findings from the study in relation to the background characteristics of the respondents.
Chapter 5: Conclusions and Recommendations summarizes the research findings and makes recommendations, based on the study findings.
1.10 CONCLUSION
Observance of standard precautions is very important in reducing occupational exposure to infectious diseases and the spread of nosocomial infections among patients. The need to improve the practi
You either get what you want or your money back. T&C Apply

You can find more project topics easily, just search
-
SIMILAR PUBLIC HEALTH FINAL YEAR PROJECT RESEARCH TOPICS
-
1. ACHIEVING THE MDG 4: AN ASSESSMENT OF THE QUALITY OF CHILD HEALTH SERVICES IN THE PUBLIC PRIMARY HEALTH CARE FACILITIES IN NNEWI NORTH LGA OF ANAMBRA ...
» ABSTRACT Background. Children as a vulnerable group bear an undue share of the global burden of disease. Attention to the provision of quality child h...Continue Reading »Item Type & Format: Project Material - Ms Word | 96 pages |
Instant Download | Chapter 1-5 | PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT
-
2. ACCEPTANCE OF WOMEN OF CHILD BEARING AGE TO FAMILY PLANNING IN NARAYI COMMUNITY OF KADUNA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KADUNA STATE
» Background of the Study Family planning is one of the most important interventions in reproductive healthcare as it contributes to the improvement of ...Continue Reading »Item Type & Format: Project Material - Ms Word | 267 pages |
Instant Download | Chapter 1-5 | PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT
-
3. A STUDY ON BIRTH PREPAREDNESS AND COMPLICATION READINESS AMONG WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE IN ENUGU METROPOLIS
» CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background Maternal mortality is a substantial burden in developing countries. World Health Organization (WHO) estimated ...Continue Reading »Item Type & Format: Project Material - Ms Word | 77 pages |
Instant Download | Chapter 1-5 | PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT
-
4. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH INCOMPLETE IMMUNISATION OF CHILDREN AGED 9-23 MONTHS IN RURAL AREAS OF ODEDA LOCAL GOVERNMENT, ODEDA AREA OF OGUN STATE, NIGER...
» ABSTRACT Immunization remains one of the most successful and cost effective public health interventions worldwide and it is an essential instrument to...Continue Reading »Item Type & Format: Project Material - Ms Word | 77 pages |
Instant Download | Chapter 1-5 | PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT
-
5. attitude of pregnant mother towards exclusive breastfeeding in P.H.C Television Kaduna.
» CHAPTER ONE 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY The world health organization’s infant feeding recommendation defines exclusive breastf...Continue Reading »Item Type & Format: Project Material - Ms Word | 55 pages |
Instant Download | Chapter 1-5 | PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT
-
6. CAUSES OF POOR NUTRITION AMONG CHILDREN AGE FIFTEEN
» CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.0 Background Information Children worldwide are known to be vulnerable and susceptible in many respects, especially on matt...Continue Reading »Item Type & Format: Project Material - Ms Word | 52 pages |
Instant Download | Chapter 1-5 | PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT
-
7. VESICO-VAGINAL FISTULA AND PSYCHO-SOCIAL WELL-BEING OF WOMEN IN NIGERIA
» ABSTRACT The problem of vesico vagina fistula still remains a ravaging scourge in resourcepoor countries of which Nigeria is visibly prominent. A majo...Continue Reading »Item Type & Format: Project Material - Ms Word | 36 pages |
Instant Download | Chapter 1-5 | PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT
-
8. COST EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS OF MICROSCOPIC OBSERVATION DRUG SUSCEPTIBILITY ASSAY VERSUS GENEXPERT MTB/ RIF IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS ...
» SUMMARY Patients with HIV experience high mortality and severe morbidity if co infected with tuberculosis. This is especially true in countries of sub...Continue Reading »Item Type & Format: Project Material - Ms Word | 79 pages |
Instant Download | Chapter 1-5 | PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT
-
9. IMPROVING THE DIETARY INTAKE OF DIABETIC PATIENTS IN IKWO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EBONYI STATE
» Abstract The main purpose of this work is improving the dietary intake of diabetic patients in Ikwo local government area of Ebonyi State. To achieve ...Continue Reading »Item Type & Format: Project Material - Ms Word | 52 pages |
Instant Download | Chapter 1-5 | PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT
-
10. DISCLOSURE OF HIV STATUS BY HIV POSITIVE PATIENTS ATTENDING ADULT ART CLINIC AT GOMBE STATE SPECIALIST HOSPITAL, GOMBE.
» ABSTRACT Disclosure of HIV status especially to sexual partners is an important prevention goal. Many international organizations including UNAIDS, WH...Continue Reading »Item Type & Format: Project Material - Ms Word | 61 pages |
Instant Download | Chapter 1-5 | PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT