Nurses’ Compliance with Standard Precautions in the Management of HIV/AIDS Patients at Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi

Background: Standard precautions constitute the minimum infection control practice required when managing all patients, regardless of their HIV status. Non-compliance among nurses poses risks to both healthcare workers and patients. Aim: This study evaluated nurses' compliance with standard precautions in the management of HIV/AIDS patients at Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, North Central Nigeria. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. One hundred and five registered nurses were recruited by stratified random sampling from medical and antiretroviral therapy wards. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and direct observation. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation were applied in analysis. Results: While 74% of nurses demonstrated good knowledge of standard precautions, only 56% were observed to comply consistently, particularly with glove use and sharp disposal protocols. Fear of occupational exposure, inadequate personal protective equipment, and heavy workload were the most frequently cited barriers. Conclusion: Compliance with standard precautions remains suboptimal despite satisfactory knowledge levels. Sustained provision of protective equipment, mandatory refresher training, and supportive supervision are recommended to strengthen occupational safety practices in Nigerian health facilities. Keywords: standard precautions, HIV/AIDS, nurses, compliance, Makurdi.