Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice towards Occupational Health and Safety among Nursing Students in Gaza Strip, Palestine

BACKGROUND: Health and safety in the workplace are critical components in healthcare institutions. Unsafe working conditions are among the causes of poor quality of care and burnout. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practice of occupational health and safety among nursing students at Al-Israa University. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, a structured online questionnaire was distributed from March to May 2021. Of the 350 eligible students, 219 students answered the questionnaire (Response rate=62.6). Data were analyzed using the statistical software IBM-SPSS version 22. Descriptive statistic, Independentsamples T-Test, and ANOVA tests were used. RESULTS: The majority of participants were female (81.7%) and studying in a diploma program. 21% of nursing students have experienced a needle stick injury. The mean scores for knowledge, attitudes, and practice were (M±SD:78.2% ±12.9, M±SD:80.6% ±7.1, and M±SD:81.2% ±7.6) respectively. In terms of knowledge, attitudes, and practice the mean scores were statistically significant between nursing students who attended a safety precautions course and those who didn not (P-value <.05). In terms of attitudes, the mean scores were statistically significant between diploma and bachelor students (P-value =.026). In terms of practice, the means scores were statistically significant between males and females (Pvalue =.017), nursing students who had experience with needle sticks and those who didn't (P-value =.015). CONCLUSIONS: The authors recommend that clinical training departments and universities continue to offer occupational health and safety courses and training for health science students. Since the training had a positive impact on the students' practices.