Knowledge on Blood-borne Infections, Compliance and Barriers on Blood-borne Infection Control among Nurses in Hemodialysis Units

Joung, Sun Ae; Park, Kyung Yeon

Abstract

PURPOSE
The study was done to examine hemodialysis unit nurses' knowledge on blood-borne infections, compliance and barriers to control and predictors of compliance.
METHODS
A descriptive correlational study was conducted with 122 nurses from hemodialysis units. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. The data collection period was May to September, 2017. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression.
RESULTS
The mean score for knowledge on blood-borne infections was 15.41±2.01 out of 19 and the compliance with blood-borne infection control was 4.08±0.49 out of 5. Barriers to the performance of blood-borne infections control were lack of time and personal protective devices. Knowledge on blood-borne infection did not correlate with compliance on blood-borne infection control (r=.13, p=.171). Predictors of compliance on blood-borne infections control were 1) infection control education on injuries caused by injection needles (Î²=.23, p=.010), 2) infection control room (Î²=.24, p=.006) and 3) blood exposure experience over the past week (Î²=-.24, p=.005) and explained 22.2% of the variance (F=10.81, p < .001).
CONCLUSION
Findings suggest that to improve the performance of blood-borne infectious disease management, customized education for nurses on blood-borne infection and systematic support related to the infection control room should be given priority.