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Standard Precautions Among Health Care Workers
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Applying standard precautions has become the primary strategy to
preventing nosocomial infections in hospitalized patients. The health,
safety and welfare of employees have been a major concern of the
Nigerian Government. “The Workmen’s Compensation Act†of June 11, 1987
is a clear demonstration of the Federal Government’s concern for health,
safety and welfare of the Nigerian worker.
The
requirements for standard precautions in everyday practice include: hand
washing, personal protective equipment (PPE), safe waste disposal
system, correct sterilization and disinfection processes, appropriate
use of instruments and equipment, vaccination, education and post
exposure protocol (PEP).
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Health Care Workers (HCWs) are exposed to blood borne infections by
pathogens such as HW, Hepatitis B and C viruses, as they perform their
clinical activities in the hospital. There is a rising prevalence of
morbidity and mortality as a result of hospital acquired infections
(noso comical infections and blood-borne infections like HIV, HBV and
HBC). There is a continued unwarranted and unsafe use of injections,
lack of adequate sharps containers and disposal facilities, shortage of
supply of injection equipment which has led to the increased incidence
of needle stick injuries and blood-=borne infections among health care
workers. Lack of knowledge and noncompliance with standard precautions
place health care workers at significant health risks.
Identified and similar problems exist in Central Hospital, Warri, other
health establishments in Delta State as well as other states, but no
study has been done to address the issue.
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