Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Infection Control and Standard Precautions among Healthcare Workers of Rural Nepal

Reshu Agrawal Sagtani,Bijay Thapa,Ajay Kumar Rajbhandari,Puspanjali Adhikari

doi:10.3126/bjhs.v3i2.20944

Reshu Agrawal Sagtani, Bijay Thapa + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3126/bjhs.v3i2.20944

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Abstract

Introduction: A healthcare associated infection (HCAI) during patient care is an emerging challenge to healthcare service delivery. Transmission of most of these HCAIs can be prevented through application of standard precautions which are a set of infection control practices followed during patient care, whether or not they appear infectious or symptomatic.Objective: This study aims to assess the existing knowledge and attitude on infection control and standard precautions among healthcare personnel working in peripheral healthcare settings of Nepal.Methodology: It was a cross-sectional study and included nine different health facilities in Makwanpur district. Knowledge and attitude regarding infection control and standard precautions were assessed with the help of a self-administered questionnaire on a pre-determined scale. The results are presented as frequency distribution table and valid proportions.Results: In the study, 91.9% of the HCWs agreed that HCAI is caused by micro-organisms that can be transmitted between patients while 51.5% of them disagreed that HCAI can be caused by micro-organisms carried on the hands of healthcare workers. Majority (98.6%) of the HCWs believed that the use of gloves, mask and apron reduces the risk of HCAI whereas 13.5% of HCWs disagreed that gloves should be changed between the examination of different patients. Although 97% of the HCWs agreed that hand should be washed before and after examining the patient, 17.6% of them informed that they do not always wash their hands before and after examining a patient.Conclusion: Irrespective of limited availability of infection control guidelines, it was found that the knowledge on HCAI control was good and majority of the respondents showed favorable attitude towards infection control and standard precautions. BJHS 2018;3(2)6: 453-457.

Highlights

Healthcare Associated Infec on (HCAI) during pa ent care is an emerging challenge to healthcare service delivery
In the study, 91.9% of the HCWs agreed that HCAI is caused by micro-organisms that can be transmi ed between pa ents while 51.5% of them disagreed that HCAI can be caused by micro-organisms carried on the hands of healthcare workers
Majority (98.6%) of the HCWs believed that the use of gloves, mask and apron reduces the risk of HCAI whereas 13.5% of HCWs disagreed that gloves should be changed between the examina on of different pa ents

Summary

Introduction

Healthcare Associated Infec on (HCAI) during pa ent care is an emerging challenge to healthcare service delivery. Over 1.4 million people worldwide are found to be suffering from infec ous complica ons acquired in healthcare se ngs.[1] A survey carried out by World Health Organiza on in 55 hospitals of 14 countries showed that an average of 8.7% of hospital pa ents had HCAI.[2] Such infec ons leads to increase in disease severity, prolong hospital stay, emo onal stress, func onal disability and financial burden to the pa ent or pa ent party.[3] In addi on to pa ent safety, it is a major concern towards healthcare workers (HCWs) who are involved in the pa ent care and are at high risk of HCAI. Transmission of most of these infec ons can be prevented through applica on of Standard Precau ons (SPs), the precau ons that healthcare workers must follow on all pa ents at all mes, irrespec ve of their diagnosis or infec ous status.[4,5]

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