Abstract:
Background: Nurses have a high risk of being exposed to blood borne viruses (BBV) during their day to day
practices and knowledge on transmission is important. The objective was to describe the knowledge in a selected
Nursing Training School in Western Province, Sri Lanka and their associated factors of transmission of BBV, among
nursing students in a selected Nursing Training School in Western Province and their associated factors in Sri Lanka.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 209 nursing students from a nursing school in
Sri Lanka. Data collection was done using a self-administered questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS software
version 15.0. Statistical significance was tested at p<0.05.
Results: Majority (57%) had poor knowledge on transmission of BBV. Most gave correct answers for transmission of
HIV and Hepatitis B virus 91%, 64% (HBV) by needle stick injury (82%, 87%), through blood transfusion (90%,
80%), mother to child at birth (90%, 64%), through organ and for transmission of HBV via tattooing/piercing, 58%
gave correct answers transplant (80%, 66%), direct contact with blood (75%, 62%), through unprotected sexual
intercourse (93%, 50%) and tattooing/ piercing (48%, 58%). Many had poor knowledge on transmission of HIV and
HBV via sharing household equipment (50%, 84%), by kissing/hugging (57%, 75%), through mosquito bites (76%,
86%), by swimming in pools (80%, 87%), by eating contaminated food (81%, 88%) and through exposure to
saliva/tears/stools and urine (89%, 92%). There was a statistically significant association between knowledge on
transmission of BBV with higher academic year and older age (p<0.05).
Conclusions: BBV transmission needs further emphasis on the curriculum for future nurses to deliver to their utmost
capabilities in the future.
