Healthcare Workers Awareness And Knowledge of Covid-19 Infection Control Precautions and Waste Management: Saudi Arabia Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

\n Objective\n\nHealthcare workers (HWs) perform a critical role not only in the clinical management and organization of patients but also in providing adequate infection control and prevention measures and waste management to be implemented in health care facilities. It is important therefore for HWs to have adequate and correct knowledge and awareness towards any pandemic. The aim of this study is to evaluate HWs awareness and knowledge of COVID-19 infection control precautions and waste management in Saudi Arabia hospitals.\nMethods\n\nThis is a descriptive cross-sectional study. Information on knowledge, awareness and practice of HWs of infection control and waste management were obtained with the aid of a structured questionnaire. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.\nResults\n\nOur findings of assessing the Saudi HWs awareness and knowledge of COVID-19 infection control precautions and waste management during COVID-19 pandemic indicate that most study participants were knowledgeable and achieved a mean of 78.3%. About (92.5%) were aware of the infection control precautions, and 90.3% knew waste management during COVID-19 and 91.7% knew of all the infection control supplies availability. The knowledge of HW regarding waste procedure in their facility correlate significantly with gender (p\u2009=\u20090.0001), education (p\u2009=\u20090.024), and working experience (p\u2009=\u20090.029). The knowledge of infection control precaution correlate with gender (p\u2009=\u20090.0003), education (p\u2009=\u20090.043) and working experience (p\u2009=\u20090.009).\nConclusion\n\nMost participants appreciated the importance of their role in infection control, surveillance and monitoring the ongoing safety of their patients themselves and their facility and community. Saudi Ministry of health initiatives to improve education and provide training to HW during COVID-19 pandemic has facilitated to expand HW knowledge.