Infection Control Measures among Nurses at Dental Clinics

Abstract

Background: Infection is a major problem for health care service worldwide. Nurses in dental clinics should have knowledge and practices regarding infection control measures to decrease spread of infection. Aim of the study: Was to assess infection control measures among nurses at Dental Clinics. Research design: Descriptive research design was used in carrying out this study. Setting: This study was conducted at Dental Clinics in four Governmental Hospitals and thirty-five Health Units affiliate to Benha Health Center, Qalubia, Egypt. Sample: Convenient sample of all nurses was used in this study. The total sample size was 100 nurses. Tools of data collection: Two tools were used; I: An interviewing questionnaire which contained two parts. A) Personal characteristics of nurses, B) Nurse's knowledge regarding infection control measures. II: Observational checklist sheet which contained two parts. A) Nurse's practices regarding infection control measures B) Nurses working environment. Results: 50,0% of the studied nurses aged from 30 to less than 40 years with mean age were 32.70 ± 6.607 ;70,0% of them occupied as nurses, 50,0% of them had less than 5 years' experience, 9,0% of them were exposed to Virus B in previous years, and 60,0% of them were taken vaccinations against Virus B. 77,0 % of the studied nurses had good knowledge level regarding infection control measures and 82,0% of the studied nurses had satisfactory total practices regarding infection control measures Conclusion: There were no statistically significant relations between total nurses' knowledge level regarding infection control measures and their age and educational level, there were high statistically significant relation between total nurses' practices regarding infection control measures and their age, there were a highly positive correlation between total nurses' knowledge and total nurses' practices regarding infection control measures. Recommendations: Developing a system for periodical nurses' evaluation to determine strategies for upgrading their knowledge and enhancing their practices, and further studies are needed in this field to assess nurses' knowledge and practices regarding infection control measures to minimize exposure to hazards.