Introduction: Standard precautions (SP) are essential to prevent infections in healthcare settings. However, their implementation remains insufficient in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This study assessed the level of knowledge and practices of healthcare providers regarding SP in healthcare facilities.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 120 healthcare professionals from July 22 to August 22, 2024, in twelve healthcare facilities in the city of Kisangani. Categorical variables were presented as proportions, and quantitative variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation or as median and interquartile range, depending on the symmetry of their distributions.
Results: The mean age of participants was 43.6 ± 11.07 years, with a female predominance (53%). The majority were nurses (58%). About 57.5% had received training on infection prevention and control (IPC). Hand hygiene (75%) and wearing professional attire (75.8%) were the most frequently cited measures, but only 77.5% actually wore their uniform. Waste management was implemented in 85.8% of cases, although 40.8% of facilities lacked a functional incinerator. Furthermore, 56.7% of professionals had already experienced a blood exposure incident (BEI).
Conclusion: The level of knowledge regarding standard precautions was low, and practices were inadequate in most cases. Institutional policies focusing on capacity building, awareness, and the provision of necessary resources are required.