There is an increase in HIV/AIDS and other blood borne diseases. Health care workers are often exposed to blood and body fluids and thus prone to blood borne infections. Preventative measures can be taken to prevent health workers from contracting these diseases. However, health care workers need to stringently apply these measures. Universal precautions against blood borne infections include diligent hygiene practices, such as hand washing and drying, appropriate handling and disposal of sharp objects, prevention of needle stick or sharp injuries, appropriate handling of patient care equipment and soiled linen, environmental cleaning and spills management, appropriate handling of waste as well as protective clothing such as gloves, gowns, aprons, masks and protective eyewear. This study is aimed at investigating compliance with universal precautions in operating theatres in Northern KwaZulu–Natal as well as perceptions of registered nurses working in these operating theatres regarding factors influencing compliance in order to contribute to measures to limit the risk of infection to patients and health care workers. A sequential explanatory design, mixed–method (quantitative and qualitative) was used to explore the use of universal precautions in operating theatres in the Northern Kwa–Zulu Natal. In the first phase, the sample consisted of practices in operating theatres of six hospitals and one regional hospital in area 3 of Kwa–Zulu Natal. The adapted structured checklist based on an established document developed by the MASA Committee for Science and Education (1995) was pilot tested. The collected data was statistically analysed and interpreted with the help of a statistician using SPSS. The results of Phase 1 were used as a base for the Phase 2 questions. Three focus group interviews were conducted with professional nurses who were observed during Phase 1 at the selected hospitals. Findings from quantitative data show that although health care workers take precautions to prevent infections, they do not attain full compliance to universal precautions. The qualitative data indicated that the reasons for non–compliance amongst others were the lack of knowledge of universal precautions, communication factors, resources, including maintenance of equipment, lack of supplies and shortage of human resources and attitudes of health care workers. / Thesis (M.Cur.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

There is an increase in HIV/AIDS and other blood borne diseases. Health care workers are often exposed to blood and body fluids and thus prone to blood borne infections. Preventative measures can be taken to prevent health workers from contracting these diseases. However, health care workers need to stringently apply these measures. Universal precautions against blood borne infections include diligent hygiene practices, such as hand washing and drying, appropriate handling and disposal of sharp objects, prevention of needle stick or sharp injuries, appropriate handling of patient care equipment and soiled linen, environmental cleaning and spills management, appropriate handling of waste as well as protective clothing such as gloves, gowns, aprons, masks and protective eyewear. This study is aimed at investigating compliance with universal precautions in operating theatres in Northern KwaZulu–Natal as well as perceptions of registered nurses working in these operating theatres regarding factors influencing compliance in order to contribute to measures to limit the risk of infection to patients and health care workers. A sequential explanatory design, mixed–method (quantitative and qualitative) was used to explore the use of universal precautions in operating theatres in the Northern Kwa–Zulu Natal. In the first phase, the sample consisted of practices in operating theatres of six hospitals and one regional hospital in area 3 of Kwa–Zulu Natal. The adapted structured checklist based on an established document developed by the MASA Committee for Science and Education (1995) was pilot tested. The collected data was statistically analysed and interpreted with the help of a statistician using SPSS. The results of Phase 1 were used as a base for the Phase 2 questions. Three focus group interviews were conducted with professional nurses who were observed during Phase 1 at the selected hospitals. Findings from quantitative data show that although health care workers take precautions to prevent infections, they do not attain full compliance to universal precautions. The qualitative data indicated that the reasons for non–compliance amongst others were the lack of knowledge of universal precautions, communication factors, resources, including maintenance of equipment, lack of supplies and shortage of human resources and attitudes of health care workers. / Thesis (M.Cur.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

The aim of this study was to investigate if the experiences of work environment of employees in the elder care in the municipality of Umeå can be linked to high or low sickness absence. The method used was semi-structural qualitative interviews. Six retirement homes participated in the study and were divided into two groups, based on whether they had high or low figures of sickness absence. 28 elder care workers of different educational levels were interviewed. The interview questions were divided into categories. For the key phrases; “Have great possibilities of influencing one´s schedule” (category influence), “Is offered education” (category development and challenge), “The work pace depends on the wellbeing of the residents” (category physical and psychological workload), “Reflect/Do not reflect on work at home” (category physical and psychological workload), “Difficult to resolve conflicts” (category working climate and wellbeing) and “Stressful work” (category working climate and wellbeing) statistically significant differences between the groups were detected. Risk factors in the work environment, such as, time pressure, conflicts and physical and psychological strain are described by employees at retirement homes with both higher and lower figures of sickness absence. Differences between the sexes could not be investigated, but that does not exclude possible differences. Based on the results the conclusion is drawn that aspects of influence, development and challenge, physical and psychological workload and working climate and wellbeing can be factors that impact on sickness absence in the elder care in the municipality of Umeå.

Aim: Thisstudy aimedto investigatethe knowledge and attitudes of healthcareworkers regardinginfluenza, influenza vaccination,and vaccination practicesin emergency departments in Gothenburg, Sweden. Method: This cross-sectional studyuseda self-administered questionnaire distributed tonurses, assistant nurses,and physiciansin three emergency departments atThe Sahlgrenska University Hospital in January–February2014. Results: Among214 participants, 56% were nurses, 27% assistant nurses,and 17% physicians. The response ratewas 77%. A total of 66 participants (31%)werevaccinated against influenza during the previous12 months.The highest vaccination coverage occurredin the oldestage group(56%;P&lt;0.05).Past vaccinationstrongly predicted future vaccinationbehavior (P&lt;0.001). Ourdata revealed nosignificant difference invaccination coverage betweenprofession, work experience, hospital,or gender. The mean knowledge score was higher among vaccinated vs. unvaccinated health care workers (17.9 ± 2.7vs.16.8 ± 2.6, respectively; P&lt; 0.05). Moreover, influenza risk perception was higher among participants who were vaccinated during the previous12 months compared to unvaccinated participants (P&lt; 0.001). Interestingly, more un vaccinated health care workers believed that personal behavior determines health (higher internal locus of control) compared to vaccinated workers(P&lt; 0.05). More than half of vaccinated health care workers stated that they got vaccinated to avoid influenza. Almost half of the unvaccinated workers voiced concern about vaccine side effects. Fourteen percent of all respondents mentioned patient protection as an important factor in their decision to receive influenza vaccination. Conclusion:This study demonstrates a need for improved knowledge about influenza and influenza vaccinationin health care workers. Increased risk perception of influenza can increase vaccination coverage in emergency department personnel,and may reduce the incidence of healthcare-associated influenza. / <p>ISBN 978-91-86739-77-5</p>

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1996. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 29-32). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis--Auburn University, 2009. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 83-87).

Thesis (MA (Maatskaplike Werk))--Universiteit van Pretoria, 2004. / Bibliografie ingesluit.

Thesis (M.N.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland. / Typescript. Includes text of: Health in child care settings : guidelines for child care providers and early childhood educators, St. John's, Nfld : Parent and Child Health Division, 1995. Bibliography: leaves 105-113. Also available online.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1996. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 29-32). Also available on the Internet.

Bakgrund: Uppkomsten av vårdrelaterade infektioner (VRI) är ett globalt problem. Den vanligaste smittvägen är via personalens händer. Bra handhygien är väsentligt för att minska VRI. Med bättre följsamhet till handhygien kan uppkomsten av VRI minskas, därför har forskning om följsamhet till handhygien och faktorer som inverkar, stort betydelse. Syfte: Syftet var att sammanställa och beskriva aktuell forskning om sjuksköterskors följsamhet till handhygien och vilka faktorer främjar respektive hindrar följsamheten till handhygien. Metod: En litteraturöversikt som baserades på artiklar publicerade de senaste fem åren, från länder som följer Världshälsoorganisationens (WHO) handhygieniska riktlinjer. Sexton artiklar valdes efter kvalitetsgranskning för analys och beskrivning. Artiklarna bearbetades med innehållsanalys. Resultat: Sjuksköterskors följsamhet till handhygien var låg. Följande främjande faktorer identifierades: handhygien efter patientkontakt, materialtillgång, förebilder, utbildning, verbala och visuella påminnelser, positiva individuella attityder, kvinnlig könstillhörighet, yrkesgrupp, specialitet, patientens skydd, arbetskultur och samhällets inställning till handhygien. Följande hindrande faktorer identifierades: hög arbetsbelastning, bristande utbildning, kunskapsbrist, individuella attityder, hudpåverkan, materialtillgång, arbetskultur och samhällets inställning till handhygien, manlig könstillhörighet, yrkesgrupp, specialitet. Slutsats: Enligt resultat rekommenderas: samspelet med kollegor och patienter, stöd av teamarbete ledare, förebilder, materialtillgång, utbildning, påminnelser, intervention med tillgång till information, stöd, resurser och möjligheter för regelbunden kunskapsuppföljning, motivera till handhygien före patientkontakt, involvera patienter. / Background: The emergence of healthcare-associated infections (VRI) is a global problem. The most common route of transmission is via the staff's hands. Good hand hygiene is essential for reducing VRI. With better adherence to hand hygiene, the emergence of VRI is reduced, therefore, research on adherence to hand hygiene and factors affecting, big importance. Aim: The aim was to compile and describe current research on nurses ' adherence to hand hygiene and what factors promote or hinder the adherence to hand hygiene. Method: A literature review based on articles published in the last five years, from countries that follow the World Health Organisation (WHO) hand hygiene guidelines. Sixteen articles were selected for quality review of analysis and description. The items were processed with content analysis. Results: nurses ' adherence to handhygiene was low. Promoting factors was handhygiene after patient contact, materials access, role models, training, verbal and visual reminders, positive individual attitudes, gender, profession, specialty, patient protection, work culture and society's attitudes to handhygiene. Limiting factors: high workload, lack of education, lack of knowledge, individual attitudes, skin effects, materials access, work culture and society's attitudes to handhygiene, sex, profession, specialty. Conclusion: According to the results is folowing recommended : the interaction with colleagues and patients, support of team work leaders, role models, materials access, education, reminders, intervention with access to information, support, resources and opportunities for regular knowledge track, justify to handhygiene prior to patient contact, involve patients.