Knowledge of nosocomial infections, standard precautions, and source of information among physiotherapy undergraduates in Sri Lanka; an observational study

Abstract

Abstract Background: The physiotherapists are one of the first contact health care professionals’ and physiotherapy undergraduates should have sufficient knowledge of nosocomial infections, standard precautions, and hand hygiene even during their training period. Hence the purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge of nosocomial infections, standard precautions, and source of information among physiotherapy undergraduates in Sri Lanka. Methods: Descriptive cross sectional Google based survey study was conducted with the participation of 294 of physiotherapy undergraduates in University of Peradeniya (n=103), University of Colombo (n=103), and Kotalawala Defense University (n=88). Self-constructed data sheets for socio-demographic and source of information and Infection Control Standardized Questionnaire consisted with 3 domains; knowledge of nosocomial infections, standard precautions and hand hygiene was used for data collection. Results: 76.50% (n=225) participants have achieved adequate level of total knowledge and have average knowledge 67.14±16.831, 84.41±14.679 and 66.41±15.408 on the nosocomial infections, standard precautions and hand hygiene respectively. 28.31% (n=83) have equally mentioned, formal teaching at faculty and informal sources as the most important source of knowledge. There was no significant impact of the university and the duration of clinical exposure on knowledge of nosocomial infections, standard precautions, hand hygiene and total knowledge. The study year have a significant impact and the final year undergraduates have higher knowledge compare with other study years. Female group has significant impact on total knowledge. Conclusion: Knowledge of nosocomial infections and infection control measures are satisfactory among the physiotherapy undergraduates in Sri Lanka. Nevertheless, for further development of formal sources of information on nosocomial infections are recommended.