Knowledge Attitude and Practices of Laboratory Safety Measures Among Paramedical Staff in Pakistan
Abstract
Background. Laboratory safety is very important aspect of laboratory practice. Lack of proper knowledge of the Laboratory paramedical staff along with indifferent attitudes and improper practices on safety measures can cause a lot of accidents. As a result, the current study on Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) on Laboratory Safety Measures was conducted among paramedical employees at tertiary care teaching hospitals' laboratory services as well as private sector laboratories.
Objective. To assessKnowledge, Attitude and Practice of Laboratory safety measures among Paramedical staff.
Methodology. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS) Jamshoro, Pakistan. 300 paramedical staff members including lab technologists and lab technicians working in LUMHS were selected. To survey knowledge, attitude, and practices of lab safety precautions, we employed a standardized structured, self-administered questionnaire. SPSS version 19 was used to enter the data.
Results.
Statistics
Age
Mean
24.1000
Std. Deviation
4.93268
Minimum
18.00
Maximum
50.00
Gender
Frequency
Percentage
Male
123
41.0
Female
177
59.0
Total
300
100
Education
Frequency
Percentage
Elementary
2
0.7
Intermediate
87
29.0
Postgraduate
17
5.7
Higher
14
4.7
Graduate
180
60.0
Total
300
100.0
Attitude of Knowledge of paramedical staff towards Lab safety
Frequency
Percentage
Yes
206
68.7
No
54
18.0
Unclear
40
13.3
Total
300
100.0
Attitudes and beliefs of paramedical staff towards Lab safety
Frequency
Percentage
Yes
253
84.3
No
47
15.7
Total
300
100.0
Practices of paramedical staff towards Lab safety
Frequency
Percentage
Yes
233
77.7
No
67
22.3
Total
300
100.0
Conclusion. At every tertiary care facility, such research should be undertaken on a regular basis. Every employee at a hospital or other private laboratory should be trained in all aspects of laboratory safety and observe all laboratory guidelines.