Knowledge and practice of universal precautions among health care workers at a tertiary care hospital in Koppal, Karnataka

Background: Universal precautions are a standard set of guidelines to prevent the transmission of blood borne pathogens by observing various infection control practices. Objectives: To estimate the level of Knowledge towards Universal precautions among Health care workers (HCWs), and To estimate the prevalence of Universal precautions practiced by Health care workers in the study setting. Methods: A cross sectional hospital-based study was conducted at a Tertiary care hospital in Koppal, Karnataka from January 2018 to March 2018 among 120 HCWs selected by Simple random sampling technique. Data collection was done using pre tested and semi structured questionnaire and Statistical analysis was done using WHO EPI info software version 3.5.4. Results: Majority i.e. 109 (90.83%) of the study subjects have heard about Universal precautions, majority i.e. 98 (81.66%) knew to dispose sharp waste in puncture proof containers and more than half i.e. 71 (59.17%) knew to wash thoroughly following accidental exposure to body fluids. Majority i.e. 112 (93.33%) used gloves while handling laboratory specimens and majority i.e. 108 (90.00%) followed universal precautions while dealing with every patient irrespective of the disease. Conclusion: The knowledge and practices of HCWs towards Universal precautions in the present study were satisfactory except few areas, emphasizing the need for regular sensitization.