Knowledge and Safety Management Thresholds for Infectious Diseases Among Emergency Nurses

African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery | Vol. 14, No. 9, September 2026 | pp. 207–215

DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJNM/000155

Original Research Article

Title: Knowledge and Safety Management Thresholds for Infectious Diseases Among Emergency Nurses

Names of Authors: Adesola M. Ojo¹, Tendai R. Moyo²

Authors’ Affiliations:
¹Department of Nursing, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
²Department of Nursing Science, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe

Abstract:
Frontline emergency clinic settings face substantial exposures to highly contagious viral pathogens, requiring excellent diagnostic awareness and barrier precaution skills among triage personnel. This study evaluated clinical knowledge levels, personal protective equipment (PPE) compliance scores, and systemic management barriers regarding highly infectious tropical diseases among emergency room nurses. A descriptive cross-sectional study surveyed 140 emergency staff nurses inside three major urban hospitals using a validated biosecurity index. The analytics demonstrated that while 82.4% of nurses accurately detailed isolation protocols, correct sequential steps for PPE removal (doffing) were demonstrated by only 41.2% under observation. Major systematic barriers included unreliability in negative-pressure ventilation zones (65.8%) and sporadic shortages of high-filtration respirators (54.3%). Nurses with active membership in specialty disaster or emergency societies achieved significantly higher clinical safety compliance ratings (p = 0.008). The study concludes that dangerous implementation gaps persist due to materials shortfalls and low simulation practice frequencies. Strengthening biosecurity requires regular scenario-based mock exercises alongside secure personal protective equipment supply chains.

Keywords: Infectious Diseases; Emergency Nursing; Precautionary Measures; Personal Protective Equipment; Biosecurity; Triage.

Manuscript Timeline: Received July 15, 2026; Revised August 30, 2026; Accepted September 16, 2026; Published September 26, 2026.

Citation: Ojo, A. M., & Moyo, T. R. (2026). Knowledge and Safety Management Thresholds for Infectious Diseases Among Emergency Nurses. African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery, 14(9), 207–215. DOI: 10.46882/2026/AJNM/000155

Subscribe to read the full article: https://www.internationalscholarsjournals.org/subscribe-to-read