CONHECIMENTO E COMPORTAMENTO DOS PROFISSIONAIS DE ENFERMAGEM DA ATENÇÃO PRIMÁRIA À SAÚDE: MEDIDAS DE PRECAUÇÃO E FATORES ASSOCIADOS

Abstract

Introduction: It is important that the package of measures known as Standard (PP) and Specific (PE) Precautions be part of the professional practice of health workers, in a conscious way, in order to prevent the transmission of pathogens to patients and to health professionals themselves. However, it is known that adherence is still suboptimal. In Primary Health Care (PHC), the challenge of detecting the factors that interfere with the adoption of these precautionary measures remains. Objective: evaluate the knowledge and reported behavior of Nursing professionals about PP and PE in PHC and which factors influence the knowledge and behavior of these professionals regarding these measures. Method: cross-sectional, correlational study, carried out in Basic Health Units (UBS) in the city of Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, from September 2022 to May 2023. The inclusion criteria were: to be working as a nurse, technician and nursing assistant; to act in the direct provision of care to patients. The exclusion criteria were: to hold a leadership position or to work with exclusively administrative activities and to be undergoing organizational training related to biosafety. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (CEP) of the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS). Data collection took place through two questionnaires: a sociodemographic one prepared by the researcher and a previously validated one, which evaluates the knowledge and behavior of PHC professionals in relation to PP and PE. Subsequently, the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, by domain and bivariates. Results: The sample was composed of 69 professionals, the majority of whom were female (n=54/ 78.3%), with a predominant age range between 40-49 years (n=25/ 36.2%), nursing technician education level (n=46/ 66.7%). In the scoring diagram on the level of knowledge about precautions of PHC nursing professionals, the prevalent description was poor (n=51/ 73.9%). In the bivariate analysis, with significant values for p < 0.05, statistically significant associations were indicated between the sociodemographic factors, one or more employment relationships and training on PP and knowledge on PP/PE (p=0.02 and p=0. 04, respectively); as well as between professionals' knowledge about PP/PE and the frequency of good practices in the behavior mentioned with regard to the frequent use of alcoholic preparation for hand hygiene (p=0.001), hand hygiene when administering vaccines (p=0.048) and participation in training(p=0.041). Conclusion: the knowledge and adherence to PP and PE by PHC nursing professionals in Campo Grande-MS are considered insufficient, showing that there are factors such as multiple employment relationships and the lack of adequate training that interfere with safe practices regarding PP and PE.

Descriptors: infection control; universal precautions; primary health care; nursing staff; occupational exposure, continuing education.