Awareness and practice of standard precautions among Kerala State Health Services personnel in Neyyattinkara

Abstract Introduction: Standard precautions are the basic infection control precautions that should be followed in any setting where health care is delivered. This study aims to determine the level of awareness and practice of standard precautions among health personnel, factors that influence practice and the possible hindrances in practice of the same.Methodology: This cross-sectional study was done using a structured interview schedule among 78 doctors, 151 nurses, 80 nursing assistants and 16 lab technicians working in the State health service institutions of Neyyattinkara Taluk. SPSS version 21 software was used for analysis.Results: The findings of the study show that 86.5 percent of the health care personnel (HCP) had good awareness in hand hygiene (HH), 64 percent in use of personal protective equipment (PPE), 78.8 percent in respiratory hygiene (RH), 93.5 percent in safe injection practices (SIP) and 18.5 percent in waste disposal and decontamination (WD). Good practice was seen in 9.2percent of HCP for HH, 69.5 percent in PPE, 94.2 percent in RH, 86.8 percent% in SIP and 97.8percent for WD respectively. When all elements were analysed together nurses were the most likely to have good awareness (15.9%) and doctors were the most likely to have good practice (8.97%). Significant association was noted between age and awareness in HH (p=0.012) and RH (p=0.049), between availability of resources and practice in RH(p=0.004), PPE(p=0.042) and HH(p=0.045) and between trainings received and practice in RH(p=0.037). Hepatitis B vaccination was taken by 68.6 percent of respondents onlyConclusion: Awareness and practice of standard precautions are much deficient among the study population. Trainings and availability of resources have some positive effect in practice. Training coverage and Hepatitis B vaccination coverage were deficient. The needs for extensive trainings and for making the resources available are suggested.