The Perception of Healthcare Workers Toward Infection Prevention and Control Practices in Two Hospitals in Bo City

Abstract

Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practices are kin practices and essential to excellence health care setting. It attends to issues associated to and from staff to patient or among staff. An infection Prevention and Control practice is something we cannot do without if we want to ensure a safe health delivery services and limit the spread of infections in the health-care setting or /and the community thereby, minimizing the risk of spreading infections. This research seeks to assess the perception of healthcare workers on IPC practices in two hospitals in Bo City. A descriptive cross-sectional study design, qualitative and quantitative data collection methods were used. In-depth interviews were conducted in the two hospitals with one hundred and forty (140) respondents. Using a structured self-administered questionnaire and a participatory discussion the data was collected. The study discovered that the greater part of junior nurses lack awareness of infection control principles. Factors that slow down nurses from proper infection prevention and control practice includes; lack of knowledge, forgetfulness, lack of time and lack of resources were identified. The study showed high levels of awareness in IPC practices due to lack of information on IPC. It was also found that most available resources for IPC practices were gloves 67.7% and compliance with IPC guidelines were reasonable. From the findings of the current study, it can be concluded that, despite performing well in knowledge and showing a positive attitude towards infection prevention and control, health care workers (HCWs) had unsatisfactory practice levels regarding infection prevention and control. The majority 60.71% (85) was knowledgeable with high knowledge; followed by 28.57% (40) who had some knowledge and 10.71% (15) had low knowledge. HCWs had sub-optimal 55% (77) low compliance levels with standard infection control guidelines and 45 % (63) of all participants had high level of compliance with all infection control policies. 31.43% (44) of the respondents had never attended any IPC training workshop and 68.57% (96) had attended workshops. Hence, it is needful for policy makers and administrators to provide both human and material resources as well as provide timely and well planned in-service training to the health care workers. Strengthening infection prevention and control practice through regular in-service training/workshop; ensure that resources are available all the time, observing health care workers’ practices and provide feedback will be of great help.