Role of healthcare personnel attire in the spread of healthcare-associated infections: Knowledge of healthcare workers in a tertiary hospital in northwest Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Healthcare facilities are workplaces where healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) predominate and disease pathogens are harbored by fomites. This situation could be aggravated by increase in number of resistant organisms and inadequate knowledge especially in developing countries. Objective: The aim of this article was to assess the knowledge on role of healthcare personnel attire in spread of HCAIs among healthcare workers (HCWs). Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out using a pretested structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. A total of 127 respondents were interviewed. Data was collected and analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. Data was presented using frequencies and percentages for categorical variables. Results: All respondents (100.0%) had heard of fomites and 124 (97.6%) of them knew that HCAIs could be spread through fomites. Among the respondents who wore ward coats/uniforms, 91.3% perceived that ward coats/uniforms have the potential of spreading infections. The rate of HCAIs was said to be low in about half (56.7%) the respondents and 54 (42.5%) reported that they did not have a HCAIs reporting system in their unit. Most respondents, 114 (89.8%), had good knowledge. Conclusion: Although knowledge of the role of HCWs’ attire in spread of HCAIs was good among HCWs, it can still be improved upon by training and retraining of HCWs by management. Most respondents reported lack of HCAIs reporting system in their units. Therefore, HCAIs reporting systems should be established in all units of the hospital by the management.