| dc.description.abstract | The dearth of studies on paid bystanders who figure prominently in caregiving for inward
patients in Sri Lankan hospitals led us to assess their knowledge and selected practices regarding
patient care and personal protection, to aid their professional improvement. Ninety-two
participants were cross-sectionally assessed, using an interviewer-administered questionnaire at
Colombo-North Teaching Hospital (CNTH), a main referral centre in Sri Lanka. The median scores
of the reference group comprising 15 nurses from CNTH were compared with that of the
participants to determine the adequacy of knowledge and practices regarding patient care and
personal protection. p <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Females preponderate
(n=64, 58.9%), 80 participants (86.7%) worked for a private agency and others were selfemployed.
Despite, 37 participants (40%) having a work experience of more than 3 years, the
adequacy of knowledge regarding personal protection (n=24, 25.6%), and patient care (n=2,
2.2%) were very low. None of the participants had adequate practices regarding personal
protection, and it was 34 (36.7%) for patient care. However, participants with longer durations
of experience had better practices (p <0.001), knowledge (p <0.001) regarding patient care, and
better practices regarding personal protection (p <0.001). Those who were more educated had
better practices regarding personal protection (p=0.014). As the knowledge and practices of paid
bystanders regarding patient care and personal protection are unsatisfactory but are relatively
higher in more experienced and more educated ones, a standard minimum period of training and
a minimum level of education are recommended before employment. | en_US |
