A Cross-Sectional Study of Knowledge and Practice with Regard to Personal Protective Equipment in Covid-19 Management among Healthcare Workers at a Tertiary Care Center of Ananthapuram District, Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

BACKGROUND The healthcare personnel are the first ones to get exposed to corona virus disease (COVID 19) infection while serving the patients in the hospital. Correct knowledge and practice regarding personal protective equipment (PPE) kit usage is the need of the hour which acts as a barrier for infection. The level of knowledge on PPE, method of guidance and the perceived need for PPE by healthcare personnel play an important role in controlling the infections in hospital settings. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Covid Care Center of a Tertiary Care Hospital of Ananthapuramu district among healthcare staff using a pre-structured closed-ended questionnaire regarding socio-demographic details and usage of personal protective equipment. The score obtained was classified as good if the score ranges from 6 to 8 & poor if the score is from 0 to 5. RESULTS 28 out of 64 subjects (43.7 %) had good knowledge & practice regarding PPE kit usage. Majority of them had given correct responses for PPE kit components, wearing masks and disposal of PPE while most of them scored poorly in donning and doffing steps, wearing gloves and foot covers. CONCLUSIONS Most of the study subjects had good knowledge regarding wearing masks, PPE kit components, & method of disposal of PPE. Majority of them did not know the correct steps for donning & doffing of PPE & wearing gloves. Most of the doctors did not even have adequate knowledge on appropriate usage and disposal of PPE. As per the study, neither gender nor job title could determine the level of knowledge & practice of PPE kit. Well planned training sessions for health care workers (HCWs) regarding the steps of donning and doffing of PPE, correct method of disposal of PPE & using right substitutes is important. KEYWORDS PPE Kit, Healthcare, Donning, Doffing