Isolation precaution: Knowledge, attitude and practice among government hospital nurses in Capiz

In the advent of biological threat and serious infections such as HIV/Aids, Ebola, Hepa B, etc. mostly acquired in the hospital, it is imperative that nurses strictly comply with isolation precaution, however world reports say... [ view full abstract ]

In the advent of biological threat and serious infections such as HIV/Aids, Ebola, Hepa B, etc. mostly acquired in the hospital, it is imperative that nurses strictly comply with isolation precaution, however world reports say so otherwise. This study investigated the extent of practice of isolation precaution among nurses in Capiz, and whether this was affected by their characteristics, knowledge, or attitude.

A descriptive correlational design was employed. Data was gathered through a self-administered questionnaire. The tool was researcher-formulated based on the HICPAC 2007 Guideline for Isolation Precautions duly validated and pre-tested with a reliability test Cronbach alpha value of 0.83. Respondents were 126 staff nurses identified by stratified random sampling from all four government hospitals in the Province of Capiz. Descriptive statistics (frequency distribution test, percentage and mean) as well as inferential statistics (Chi square and Gamma test) were used for data processing. Significance was set at 5% level.

Results revealed that the nurses were young adults, mostly female, single with 2-5 year tenure. They have average level of knowledge about isolation precaution, yet a positive attitude towards it and high extent of practice. Their characteristics had no significant relationship on their knowledge about isolation precaution save for marital status in favor of the single nurses. No other significant relationship was found between and among the other variables of the study.

The paradoxical result of average knowledge yet high practice implies that compliance to isolation precaution among nurses is due to other factors rather than their awareness. This study has implications on the nursing service administration and nursing schools to enrich and strengthen theoretical knowledge about isolation precaution among nurses through which evidence-based compliance to guidelines may be achieved. Future researchers are encouraged to utilize observation to evaluate practice and enhance scope of study.