Journal of Innovative Clinical Trials and Case Reports

Abstract

**Background:** Laboratory workers face significant occupational hazards including biological, chemical, and physical risks. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding safety standard operating procedures (SOPs) are essential for minimizing laboratory-acquired infections and workplace injuries. However, limited evidence exists on laboratory safety compliance in Rwandan healthcare facilities.

**Objective: **To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding laboratory safety SOPs among laboratory technicians and nurses at Centre Médico-Social Biryogo in Nyarugenge District, Rwanda.

**Methods:** A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from 2019 to 2022 among 147 healthcare workers (13 laboratory technicians and 134 nurses) using convenience sampling. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire and analysed using SPSS version 16. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) were used to summarize findings.

**Results: **The majority of participants were male (57.1%), aged 26–30 years (27.2%), and had advanced diplomas (54.4%). Only 24.5% demonstrated good knowledge of laboratory safety principles. Concerning practices were identified: 54.4% handled waste without gloves, 45.6% used incorrect order of draw for specimen collection, and 23.1% failed to identify patients properly. Knowledge gaps included: 23.8% knew to avoid chemical skin/eye contact, and 21.8% knew emergency exit locations. Only 17.7% had received laboratory safety training in the past 12 months. Major barriers to safety SOP adherence included unavailability of SOPs (41.5%), lack of training (30.6%), and lack of materials (27.9%)

**Conclusion:** Laboratory workers and nurses at Centre Médico-Social Biryogo demonstrated suboptimal knowledge and poor compliance with laboratory safety SOPs. Comprehensive training programs, improved availability of safety equipment and SOPs, and establishment of functional infection prevention and control (IPC) committees are urgently needed to enhance laboratory safety culture and reduce occupational health risks.