Healthcare workers compliance and factors for infection prevention and control precautions at Debre Tabor Referral Hospital, Ethiopia

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are frequently exposed to infections and they are also a risk for infections between patients, HCWs, and the environment while working in a hospital. The HCWs compliant for infection prevention and control precautions (IPCP) and factors were investigated to contribute for sufficient and consistent findings in developing countries. METHODS: Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted. Data were collected through pre-tested, structured, and self-administered questionnaires. The outcome variable, compliant for IPCP was measured using 22 items on a 3-point Likert scale. Participants who had scored a cutoff point 66 (22 items multiplied by 3 points) were considered “compliant” for IPCP. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were calculated to identify variables that are significantly associated with HCWs compliance with IPCP. RESULTS: The overall HCWs compliance with IPCP was 10.6% and compliant variation among professions of anesthetists, laboratory technologists, nurses, midwives, and physicians were 25%, 13.3%, 11%, 7.7%, and 5.9%, respectively. Work experience above 5 years (AOR = 7.82, 95% CI = [1.61-12.07]), receiving IPCP training (AOR = 17.60, 95% CI = [3.58-8.65]) and availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) (AOR=21.20, 95% CI= [2.46-11.37]) were significant predictors for IPCP compliant of HCWs. CONCLUSION: Compliance with IPCP among HCWs at Debre Tabor referral hospital (DTRH) is very low. The finding emphasizes the importance of work experience, receiving IPCP training, and the availability of PPE TO increase compliance of HCWs with IPCP in the hospital.