정인숙1, 박순미2

1부산대학교 간호대학, 2양산부산대학교병원 간호부

Background: Pathogen-transmission precautions (PTP), including standard precautions, have been introduced
to control the transmission of pathogens among patients and healthcare workers. The aim of this study was to
assess the level of knowledge regarding PTP and the attitude towards these precautions among healthcare
workers in a hospital setting.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was performed from March to April 2007 using a self-administered questionnaire
completed by 235 physicians, 491 nurses, and 117 laboratory technicians working at a large teaching
hospital in urban area in Korea.
Results: The overall percentage of correct answers to 13 knowledge-type questions was 66.3%, and the percentage
of correct answers differed significantly depending on the profession of the respondents (P<0.001) and
exposure to PTP training (P=0.003). The guidelines were the preferred source of information on PTP (57.3%)
followed by infection control practitioners (32.0%). The most important obstacles to compliance with PTP guidelines
were lack of time (67.5%), forgetfulness (46.8%), lack of knowledge (33.8%), and lack of means (11.0%).
Conclusions: Level of knowledge on the PTP guidelines was low and required improvement. Lack of time was
the most important factor reported leading to poor compliance with the PTP guidelines.

Korean J Health Promot 2012;12(1):31-39
Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Disease transmission, Infection, Universal precautions