title: Knowledge and attitude regarding standard precautions in a Brazilian public emergency service: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitude of health care professionals regarding their use of universal precaution measures at a public emergency service. The study also aimed to assess the rates of occupational accidents involving biological substances among those workers. This study was performed with 238 workers, from June to November 2006, using univariate and multivariate analysis. The chance of not adopting precaution measures was 20.7 (95% CI: 5.68 - 75.14) times greater among drivers compared to physicians. No significant association was found between adopting universal precaution measures. The occupational accident rate was 20.6% (40.8% involving sharp-edged objects). The risk of physicians having an occupational accident was 2.7(95% CI: 1.05 -7.09) times higher than that of drivers. The fact that a staff member had adequate knowledge about universal precaution measures was insufficient to foster compatible attitudes towards reducing the risk of transmitting infectious agents and causing occupational accidents.
authors: Department of Basic Nursing, College of Nursing, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. acoliveira@ufmg.br
authors: Adriana Cristina
authors: AC
authors: Oliveira
authors: Maria Helena Palucci
authors: MH
authors: Marziale
authors: Maria Henriqueta Rocha Siqueira
authors: MH
authors: Paiva
authors: Aline Cristine Souza
authors: AC
authors: Lopes
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016635:Universal Precautions