Disinfection effectiveness of supermarkets to comply with COVID-19 prevention guidelines in Kampala Capital City and Mukono Municipality, Uganda

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Whereas the Ministry of Health instituted infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines in Supermarkets in Uganda to slow down COVID-19 spread, assessments on the extent of compliance with these guidelines has not been done. This study assessed compliance to the COVID-19 prevention guidelines among supermarkets in Mukono municipality and Kampala Capital City, Uganda. METHODS: An explanatory sequential mixed methods study was conducted. Assessment of compliance with COVID-19 infection prevention and control guidelines was conducted using an observation checklist in 229 supermarkets in Kampala city and Mukono municipality. A total of 168 swabs from commonly touched surfaces in 17 supermarkets were aseptically collected to assess cleaning and disinfection effectiveness with E. coli as the indicator organism. RESULTS:Almost all, 95.2% (218/229) of the supermarkets had hand washing facilities placed at the entrance. Of the 168 sampled surfaces, 10 yielded positive results to E. coli and 7 isolates showed antimicrobial resistance. The contaminated surfaces were pay counters (3, 3.33%), shelves (2, 2.22%) and shopping baskets (2, 2.22%) while trolleys and fridge doors were uncontaminated. Mini supermarkets yielded 4(4.44%) isolates while medium sized yielded 3(3.33%) isolates. CONCLUSIONS:This study revealed low compliance with COVID-19 guidelines, which required instituting mandatory preventive measures such as hand hygiene and regular disinfection. This study suggests the need for the health authorities to sensitise more on COVID-19 and strengthen enforcement of these guidelines. KEYWORDS: COVID-19, COVID-19 guidelines, supermarkets, Uganda