Health team members continue to be at elevated risk of occupational exposure to a number of
blood-borne and air-borne infectious diseases, compared to the general population. Universal
precautions are protective behaviors designed to prevent the spread of blood-borne disease. The aim
of this study was to measure health team compliance with universal precautions in _ the burn
department in Assiut University Hospital, and to identify the barriers that might underlie any noncompliance.
Across-sectional analytic research design was utilized in this study the tools were
utilized for data collection, interview questionnaire form and observation check list. The sample of
this study consisted' of all health team members working in the burn department (dressing and
hydrotherapy room) at Assiut University Hospital. They were 18 physicians, 46 nurses, and 1-6
housekeepers. More than half of the nurses and physicians, 52.2%, and 66.7% respectively, were in
the age group 20 to less than 30 years, while the majority of housekeepers were 4(} years old or
more (75.0%). Almost all nurses (95.7%) had a diploma degree, and only two (40.3%) had a
bachelor degree in nursing and the remaining had a master degree. The majority (88.9%) had less
than jive years of experience. Most Housekeepers (87.5%) had ten or more years of experience.
Health team members in the buns department had deficient knowledge and poor compliance to
Universal precaution, especially the Housekeepers. this study concluded and recommended that
conduct specialized in-service training programs in universal precautions. These should be in the
form of interactive programs compatible with adult learning principles, and in which health team
members practice role-play to demonstrate how they could protect themselves from hazardous
occupational exposure. Also, supplies should be provided insufficient quantities, but taking into
consideration of the limited resources of the country. Further studies are suggested to investigate the
psychosocial and organizational factors that correlate with deficient practices, and to assess the
relationship between wOl"k organization factors and workplace injuries and occupational illness.