Safety Precaution; Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Sociodemographic Determinants among Health Care Workers at Primary Health Care Level in Enugu State, Nigeria

Aim: This aims to explore the knowledge, attitude, practice and sociodemographic determinants of Safety Precaution (SP) among Health Care Workers (HCWs) at Primary Health Care level.

Study Design: Descriptive cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Selected Primary Health Care Centres in Enugu state, Nigeria, between April and June 2013.

Methodology: Health Care Workers eligible for voluntary participation were selected and studied using pre-tested, semi-structured, interviewer administered questionnaire. Multistage sampling technique was used. Level of significance was at p ≤ 0.05

Results: It was based on 435 Health Care Workers. Their mean age was 38.14±9.03. Majority were females 281(64.6%), had tertiary education 313(72.0%) and Community Health Extension Workers (CHEW) 125(28.7%) Mean knowledge of concept, components of, correct time to wash their hands, conditions requiring SP was above average (>50%). They equally had positive attitude and good practice of SP.(>50%). Over 50% were vaccinated against Hepatitis B virus. Sex (χ2 =7.81, p = 0.005), cadre of HCWs (χ2 11.62, p= 0.040) and marital status (χ2= 17.895, p=0.001) showed significant association with their knowledge. Educational level (χ2 30.11, p = 0.013) and cadre (χ2 88.25, p =0.002) showed significant association with their mean attitude of SP. No variable showed significant associations with mean practice of SP. Doctors were about 2.6 times (AOR 95% CI; 1.72-3.97) to have good knowledge, about 5.8 times (AOR 95% CI; 3.70-9.02) to have positive attitude and about 2.3 times (AOR 95% CI; 1.37-3.71) to have good practice than ward maids or cleaners.

Conclusion: Knowledge attitude and practice on safety precaution were good among health care workers. High formal education may not guarantee correct knowledge of safety precaution. Being a doctor is a predictor of correct knowledge, positive attitude and good practice of safety precaution.