C.E. OMOROGBE

The objectives of this study were to determine the level of knowledge of standard precautions among nurses, assess their level of adherence to standard precautionary practices, and examine the relationship between knowledge and adherence among nurses in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), Benin City. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted for the study. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire distributed to 272 nurses, out of which 241 were properly completed and analyzed, representing a response rate of 88.6%. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including frequencies, percentages, means, and the chi-square test.The findings revealed that a majority of the respondents (88%) demonstrated good knowledge of standard precautions, while 90% reported high adherence to standard precautionary practices. The chi-square test result (χ² = 0.2935, df = 1, p = 0.20) indicated no statistically significant relationship between nurses’ knowledge and adherence to standard precautions. The study also identified positive influencing factors such as the availability of personal protective equipment (PPE), functional hand hygiene facilities, institutional policies, regular infection prevention and control (IPC) training, and supervision. Conversely, high workload and emergency situations were reported as major barriers to consistent adherence. It was concluded that although nurses at UBTH possess adequate knowledge and good adherence to standard precautions, continuous training, adequate staffing, and sustained provision of resources are necessary to maintain effective infection prevention practices

This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitude towards research conduct among undergraduate nursing students at the University of Benin, Benin City. A total of 282 students participated in the study, which employed a descriptive cross-sectional design using stratified random sampling. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire, and both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for analysis, including chi-square tests at a 0.05 significance level. The results revealed that while 45.0% of students demonstrated good knowledge of research conduct, a combined 55.0% exhibited fair to poor knowledge. In terms of attitude, 73.0% showed a positive disposition toward research engagement, while 27.0% expressed negative attitudes. Notable barriers identified included limited access to research materials (76.3%), time constraints (76.9%), and a lack of mentorship (78.0%). Statistical analysis indicated a significant positive association between research knowledge and attitudes (p < 0.001). Students with greater knowledge were more likely to express positive attitudes toward research. The study recommends strengthening the research component of the nursing curriculum, expanding access to research tools and databases, and implementing structured mentorship initiatives. Creating supportive research environments is also essential to promote active participation. These findings offer valuable insights for nursing educators and academic institutions seeking to cultivate a robust research culture among undergraduate nursing students.