Infection Control Practices and Program Management in Labor and Delivery Units: A Cross-Sectional Study From Iran

Abstract

Background: Although Iranian women increasingly attend hospitals for childbirth, no information is available on programs and practices related to infection control in labor and delivery units. Objectives: This study aims to investigate infection control program management and midwives’ practices in labor and delivery units. Patients and Methods: We analyzed data related to infection control program management and also practices performed by 88 midwives in four labor and delivery units in public hospitals in Zahedan, southeast Iran. Results: The evaluation scores for all aspects of infection control were suboptimal; infection control program management 38.1% to 71.4%, healthcare workers post-exposure measures 58.5% to 92.7%, medical waste management 73.9% to 87.0% and infection control related standard infrastructures and equipments 55.9% to 82.8%. The midwives mean scores for attending infection control training courses and hand hygiene were less than 40% of the maximum score, but the mean scores for normal vaginal deliveries scrub, and equipments and instruments hygiene practices were generally above 70%. Conclusions: The results of this study revealed a need for development of appropriate policies and protocols for infection control practices in labor and delivery units and also midwives training on clean delivery practices.