Certified nurse-midwives' attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions about the use of Universal Precautions

The primary purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to survey the attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions about the use of Universal Precautions (UPs) by Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs). Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire based on the components of Azjen and Fishbein's Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA). A probability sample was used to secure a representative sample of CNMs throughout the United States. This sample reported positive attitudes about the protectiveness of UPs. The CNMs' motivation to comply with the use of UPs was influenced by their family members. However, the CNMs' own opinions regarding the use of UPs held the greatest influence. Only 5.5% of the CNMs reported using UPs 100% of the time, according to the criteria established for this study. Four of eight barriers to use of UPs were identified by the CNMs. These were that UPs affected the ability to see clearly, the intimacy of the birth process, were bothersome, and were sometimes not used out of force of habit. Correlation coefficients were found to be significant between four barriers to UP use and the CNMs' attitude, perceived behavioral control, and their subsequent use of UPs. The more positive the attitude held by the CNMs about the protectiveness of a UP item, the greater the compliance rate and the less perceived barriers there were to its use.