The relationship between the knowledge of nursing staff and their compliance to universal precautions for prevention of hepatitis B viral infection.

This study examined the relationship between the knowledge of nurses working in Tanta Fever Hospital (N = 54) and their compliance to universal precautions as a prevention of HBV. An interview questionnaire and observation checklist were designed to fulfill the aim of the study. The study revealed that nurses' knowledge was below the average score in half of the items studied, while their performance was below the average in all the items except for care of contaminated instruments. Although no significant relation was found between nurses' knowledge and their performance regarding the universal precautions, nurses having less than 5 years of experience had a higher score of performance than those having more than 5 years of experience in 6 items. The study reflects the need for in-service educational and training programs on infection control for nurses.