STANDARD PRECAUTIONS

Standard precautions are essential infection control practices that protect both healthcare workers and patients from the transmission of infectious diseases. Compliance with these precautions is particularly critical for nursing students, who are frequently exposed to clinical environments during their training. This study assessed the knowledge and compliance with standard precautions among undergraduate nursing students at the University of Benin, Benin City. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted. A total of 249 undergraduate nursing students from 200 to 500 levels were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentages, and mean scores were used, and a chi-square test was employed to assess the relationship between knowledge and compliance levels. Out of 249 questionnaires distributed, 246 were valid for analysis, resulting in a response rate of 98.8%. Findings revealed that 70.7% of students demonstrated good knowledge of standard precautions, while 29.3% had poor knowledge. Regarding compliance, 77% exhibited high compliance, and 23% showed low compliance. The major barriers identified were lack of personal protective equipment (mean = 3.2), time pressure in clinical settings, insufficient supervision, and inadequate training. Hypothesis testing revealed no statistically significant relationship between knowledge and compliance (χ² = 2.703, p = 0.100). The study concluded that undergraduate nursing students generally possess good knowledge and demonstrate high compliance with standard precautions. However, knowledge alone does not guarantee compliance, as external factors such as resource availability and supervision play significant roles.It is recommended that continuous training programs, improved resource provision, and closer clinical supervision be instituted to enhance adherence to standard precautions among nursing students, thereby strengthening infection control practices within
healthcare settings.

Healthcare-associated infections remain a persistent challenge globally, particularly in developing countries where resource constraints often hinder adherence to infection control protocols. This study investigates the knowledge, attitude, and practice of standard precautions among healthcare workers in selected clinics within Egor Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria. The primary aim was to assess how well-informed healthcare workers are about standard precautions, their perceptions toward infection control, and how these translate into practical behaviors. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was employed, with data collected from 150 healthcare workers using a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Key variables assessed included knowledge of hand hygiene and personal protective equipment (PPE), attitude toward routine precautions, actual implementation of infection control measures, and factors influencing compliance, including management support and availability of resources. The results revealed that while most healthcare workers exhibited good knowledge and positive attitudes toward standard precautions, there were variations in actual practice, especially concerning
equipment decontamination and workload-related compliance barriers. Notably, 88.7% regularly practiced hand hygiene, while only 60% consistently decontaminated reusable instruments. Availability of PPE and institutional support emerged as significant factors influencing adherence. The study recommends strengthening continuous training programs, improving PPE supply chains, and enhancing management engagement to sustain high compliance levels. These strategies are essential to improve healthcare safety and reduce the incidence of hospital acquired infections.