Knowledge and compliance with Covid-19 infection prevention and control measures among health workers in regional referral hospitals in northern Uganda: a cross-sectional online survey

Sharon Bright Amanya,Mark Okwir,Rebecca Nakaziba,Florence Oyella,Victor Afayo,Bonniface Obura,Caroline Nabasirye,Richard Nyeko,Joy Acen

doi:10.12688/f1000research.51333.1

Sharon Bright Amanya, Mark Okwir + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.51333.1

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Abstract

Background: Infection prevention and control (IPC) has increasingly been underscored as a key tool for limiting the transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and safeguarding health workers from infections during their work. Knowledge and compliance with IPC measures is therefore essential in protecting health workers. However, this has not been established among health workers in northern Uganda in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. The objective of this study was to determine the knowledge and compliance with Covid-19 infection prevention and control measures among health workers in regional referral hospitals in northern Uganda. Methods: An online cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 75 health workers in regional referral hospitals within northern Uganda. A structured questionnaire was distributed to health workers via WhatsApp messenger. Sufficient knowledge was considered at a correct response score of ≥80%, while adequate compliance was rated ≥75% of the maximum score. Data were analyzed using SPSS v21. Results: The majority of the health workers had sufficient knowledge (69%) and adequate compliance (68%) with Covid-19 IPC. Adequate compliance was significantly associated with training in Covid-19 IPC (p=0.039), access to Covid-19 IPC at workstations (p=0.036), and having strong institutional support (p=0.031). However, there was no significant relationship between knowledge and compliance with IPC (p=0.07). The socio-demographic characteristics of health workers, including age, sex, education level, occupation, working hours and work experience, had no statistically significant relationship with Covid-19 IPC knowledge or compliance. Conclusion: Our results show fairly good knowledge and compliance with Covid-19 IPC among health workers in northern Uganda. There is need for more training and provision of guidelines to promote compliance with Covid-19 IPC.

Highlights

Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is arguably the greatest global health threat of our time
Adequate compliance was significantly associated with training in Covid-19 Infection prevention and control (IPC) (p=0.039), access to Covid-19 IPC at workstations (p=0.036), and having strong institutional support (p=0.031)
There was no significant relationship between knowledge and compliance with IPC (p=0.07)

Summary

Introduction

Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is arguably the greatest global health threat of our time. As the Covid-19 pandemic grows, countries have further stepped up IPC measures, including mandatory wearing of face masks and hand washing in all public places[3,4]. Without compliance, these measures will not help in achieving the intended goal, and the health workers will increasingly be at risk of Covid-19 infection, a fact becoming evident in Uganda where health workers have been infected[5]. The objective of this study was to determine the knowledge and compliance with Covid-19 infection prevention and control measures among health workers in regional referral hospitals in northern Uganda. Sufficient knowledge was considered at a correct response score of ≥80%, while adequate compliance was rated ≥75% of the maximum score

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