Role of knowledge and attitude in determining standard precaution practices among nursing students

Background: Standard precaution practice (SPP) is aimed at protecting both patients and health professionals alike. The high rate of occupational hazards among health workers especially in developing countries is counterproductive and therefore requires thorough investigation and intervention. This study aims to determine the role of knowledge and attitude in determining SPP among nursing students.Methods:This research involved 172 nursing students at the teaching hospital of University of Maiduguri. Sampling was done using simple random sampling. Knowledge and attitude on towards one of the filoviruses (Ebola) including recommended SPP towards its prevention were assessed by a self-administered questionnaire after written consent. For bivariate correlation, Pearson’s correlation was used between knowledge and SPP, attitude and SPP, then knowledge and attitude. Subsequently the determinants of SPP were analyzed by multiple linear regression using SPSS (IBM Inc.) version 22. Significance level was 0.05 at 95% confidence interval.Results: The mean scores were knowledge 26.27(±6.6), attitude 80(±8.9) and SPP 61.08(±9.04). Correlation results was significant between knowledge and SPP (r=0.485, p<0.05) as well as knowledge and attitude (r=0.134, p<0.05). Knowledge of nursing students was a significant determinant of SPP (b = 0.663, 95% CI = 0.48-0.84, p<0.05).Conclusions:There is an association between knowledge and SPP despite the low level of knowledge among respondents. Improvements in the nursing program curriculum is recommended.