Knowledge Of Health Care Workers Research Articles

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Healthcare Workers in Ekiti State, Nigeria on Prevention of Cervical Cancer

Purpose: The role of healthcare workers in cervical cancer prevention is pivotal because healthcare workers’ recommendations have been reported to be a key motivational factor for cervical cancer screening among women in Nigeria. Assessing their knowledge, attitudes, and practices on cervical cancer prevention is necessary. Patients and methods: This is a cross-sectional survey involving healthcare workers in Ekiti State, Nigeria. A questionnaire designed for the study was used to obtain data about the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the healthcare workers. Logistic regression was used to assess the determinants of practice and a p - value of less than 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results: Out of 188 participants that completed the study, 165(90.7%) had good knowledge about the prevention of cervical cancer while 24(13.2%) had good practice concerning the prevention of cervical cancer. positive attitude (Odds ratio 1.24, 95% CI 1.14 - 1.35, p < 0.001) increased the odds of good practice. Conclusion: There was no association between the knowledge of cervical cancer prevention and the practice of the healthcare workers. Further research is required to explore the incongruence between knowledge and practice of cervical cancer prevention and its practice.

Perceptions, attitudes, and willingness of healthcare and frontline workers to participate in an Ebola vaccine trial in Uganda

BackgroundUnderstanding the knowledge, perception and attitudes towards Ebola vaccines is an important factor in ensuring future use of these vaccines. A qualitative methods study embedded in an Ebola vaccine immunogenicity and safety trial (NCT04028349) was conducted to explore the knowledge and perceptions of healthcare (HCWs) and frontline workers (FLWs), about Ebola vaccines and their willingness to participate or recommend participation in Uganda. MethodWe carried out focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews before and after vaccination, with 70 HCWs and FLWs who consented to participate in the trial, and in the qualitative component, from August to September 2019. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis. ResultsRespondents showed good knowledge about Ebola and the vaccines in general, and had wide access to information through several channels, including the study team. On prevention, particular attention was given to effective communication within health facilities. Misconceptions were mainly around route of transmission, animal origin and types of vaccines. Previous fears were based on rumours circulating in the community, mainly about the presence of the virus in the vaccine, side effects and intention to harm (e.g. by “the whites”), ultimately insisting on transparency, trust and involvement of local leaders. Acceptability of participation was motivated by the need to protect self and others, and the willingness to advance research. Majority were willing to recommend participation to their community. ConclusionsOverall, information sharing leads to a better understanding and acceptance of vaccine trials and a positive vaccination experience can be a deciding factor in the acceptance of others. Particular attention should be paid to involving the community in addressing misconceptions and fears, while ensuring that participants have access to vaccination sites in terms of transport, and that they are properly accommodated at the study site including staying for a reasonable period of time.

Assessment of Knowledge of Legal Provisions on Organ Donation and Transplantation amongst Healthcare Workers in Nigeria: A Cross-sectional Study.

Advancements in the medical field have made organ transplantation an attractive treatment option for patients when indicated. Shortage of organs and commodification of organs are major challenges encountered in organ donation and transplantation. These could potentially breed unethical practices, if the process is not well regulated. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of healthcare workers (HCWs) on the legal provisions regulating organ donation and transplantation in Nigeria. This cross-sectional study was conducted amongst physicians and nurses across Nigeria. Knowledge of legal provisions on organ donation and transplantation was assessed using a validated questionnaire that had 21 questions derived from the National Health Act. Each correctly answered question was given 1 point with a total obtainable score of 21 points. A score of ≥14 points was classified as good knowledge. P <0.05 was considered significant. A total of 836 physicians and nurses with a mean age of 37.61 ± 9.78 years participated in the study. Females and physicians constituted 53.3% and 62.9% of the respondents, respectively. The mean knowledge score of the respondents was 9.70 ± 2.91 points. Eighty-three (9.9%) respondents had a good knowledge score. There was a significantly higher proportion of male HCWs (P < 0.037) and older HCWs (P = 0.017) with good knowledge of legal provisions. On logistic regression, age was the only factor found to be associated with good knowledge of legal provision (adjusted odds ratio: 3.92; confidence interval: 1.33-11.59; P = 0.01). The overall knowledge of legal provisions on organ donation and transplant was very poor amongst HCWs in Nigeria. There is a need to educate them on these provisions to curb unethical practices.

Knowledge and Skills in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Effect of Simulation Training on it among Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Care Center in India.

High-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is associated with improved patient outcomes, but healthcare workers (HCWs) may be frequently undertrained. This study aimed to assess baseline knowledge and skills among HCWs about basic and advanced life support and the effect of simulation-based training on it. It was a single-center prospective quasi-interventional study among resident doctors and nurses at a Tertiary Center in New Delhi, India. A questionnaire-based assessment was done to assess baseline knowledge. The participants then underwent simulation-based training followed by questionnaire-based knowledge assessment and skill assessment. A repeat questionnaire-based assessment was done 6 months post-training to assess knowledge retention. A total of 82 HCWs (54 doctors and 28 nurses) were enrolled. The participants scored 22.28 ± 6.06 out of 35 (63.65%) in the pre-training knowledge assessment, with low scores in post-cardiac arrest care, advanced life support, and defibrillation. After the training, there was a significant rise in scores to 28.32 ± 4.08 out of 35 (80.9%) (p < 0.01). The retention of knowledge at 6 months was 68.87% (p < 0.01). The participants scored 92.61 ± 4.75% marks in skill assessment with lower scores in chest compressions and team leadership roles. There was a positive correlation (r = 0.35) between knowledge and skills scores (p < 0.01). There is a progressive decrease in baseline knowledge of HCWs with the further steps in the adult chain of survival. The simulation training program had a positive impact on the knowledge of HCWs. The training programs should focus on defibrillation, advanced life support, post-cardiac arrest care, and leadership roles. Agarwal A, Baitha U, Ranjan P, Swarnkar NK, Singh GP, Baidya DK, et al. Knowledge and Skills in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Effect of Simulation Training on it among Healthcare Workers in a Tertiary Care Center in India. Indian J Crit Care Med 2024;28(4):336-342.

Knowledge of Healthcare Workers Regarding Road Traffic Child Safety in South Bačka District, Serbia.

Healthcare workers (HCW) can have an important role in educating parents about child road safety, but research on the topic shows that they usually do not have adequate knowledge. Thus, the aim of our study was to analyze their knowledge in the field of child road safety. The cross-sectional study was conducted among HCW from South Bačka district, Serbia, using a specially created questionnaire for assessing knowledge on road traffic injuries in children. The research involved the participation of 317 healthcare workers (86 physicians and 231 nurses). Healthcare workers from primary healthcare made up almost 70% of all respondents, followed by those from tertiary (21.8%) and secondary (11.3%) level institutions. The average percentage of correct answers on the knowledge test was 74.3% (mean=22.3, SD=4.0). Out of all respondents, HCWs employed in the paediatrics department had a significantly higher percentage of correct answers at 77.7% (mean=23.3, SD=3.4) compared to other health workers at 73% (mean=21.9, SD=4.1) (p=0.002). Association analysis demonstrated that HCW employed at paediatric departments on average scored 1.37 (95% CI: 0.40-2.33, p=0.006) points higher in comparison with other HCW. This research demonstrated an unsatisfactory level of knowledge on child road safety by HCW, and the variability across different question domains, which underlines the need for continuous educations in order to improve their knowledge. Our results may serve in planning additional public health measures and can provide a reference for future studies.

Compliance with infection prevention and control standard precautions and factors associated with noncompliance among healthcare workers working in public hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

BackgroundStandard Precautions (SPs) are the minimal infection prevention and control (IPC) measures that apply to all patient care activities at all times, regardless of whether the patient has a suspected or proven disease, in any place where healthcare service is provided. These evidence-based practices protect healthcare workers (HCWs) from infection while preventing the spread of infectious agents among patients, visitors, and the environment.ObjectivesAssessed compliance of HCWs working in public hospitals in Addis Ababa to infection prevention and control SPs, and factors associated with noncompliance.MethodsIn a hospital-based cross-sectional study, 422 HCWs were recruited from nine public hospitals in Addis Ababa using a stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires, entered into a computer using Epi data, and analyzed using SPSS version 25. The association between the independent and the outcome variables was investigated using logistic regression. Odd ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used as measures of the strength of the association between the outcome and the explanatory variables. A p-value below 5% was considered an indicator of statistical significance.ResultsThe level of knowledge of HCWs about IPC and SPs was 51.9% and 36.49% of the respondents were compliant with SPs. Receiving IPC Training [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 1.81, 95% CI 1.06, 3.09], knowing SPs [AOR = 3.46, 95% CI = 1.83, 6.54], presence of a mechanism in the hospital to enforce the IPC practices [AOR = 1.71 95% CI = 1.01, 2.89], and availability of cleaning and disinfection chemicals in the hospital [AOR = 2.18, 95%CI = 1.15, 4.13] were significantly associated with the HCWs’ compliance with SPs.ConclusionCompliance with IPC standard precautions of HCWs in public hospitals of Addis Ababa is suboptimal. Working in medical units, less work experience, lack of training, poor knowledge, absence of a mechanism to enforce adherence, and inadequate resources are independent predictors for non-compliance of the HCWs.

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of vaccinators about expanded programs on immunization: a cross-sectional study.

The periodic evaluation of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of healthcare workers, including vaccinators, concerning expanded programs on immunization (EPI) is very crucial for a better healthcare system. This study was carried out to assess the KAP of vaccinators about the EPI, including cold storage of vaccines and their practices related to vaccine cold chain management. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2022 to June 2022 among registered vaccinators in the twin cities (Islamabad and Rawalpindi) of Pakistan. A structured self-administered questionnaire (English and Urdu) was developed as per the Pakistan national EPI policy and strategic guidelines 2022 and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, as well as from earlier studies (Cronbach's alpha value of 0.734). The final questionnaire consisted of closed-ended questions in four sections, including sociodemographic information, knowledge (with dichotomous variables of yes/no), attitudes (with a 5-point Likert scale ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree), and handling of vaccines and cold chain management. Completed questionnaires were entered into Microsoft Excel and then imported into SPSS version 25 for statistical analysis. A total of 186 vaccinators completely filled out their questionnaires, with a 97.9% response rate. More than half of the participants (57.5%) had no training related to EPI. Most of the respondents had a moderate to poor level of knowledge regarding EPI. The overall attitude was positive, and 57% of the participants strongly agreed that the national immunization programs can significantly contribute to the decrease in morbidity and mortality rates among children. In the current study, participants showed good practices toward EPI, vaccine storage, and cold chain management. The majority (93.5%) of the participants checked the expiry of vaccines at regular intervals to maintain the first expiry first out (FEFO) in their healthcare setting. In conclusion, most of the vaccinators had moderate to poor knowledge, a positive attitude, and good practices toward EPI, vaccine cold storage, and cold chain management. Lack of training among vaccinators on EPI was also observed. These findings have suggested that continuous training, education, and regular supervision of vaccinators in EPI are important for maximum immunization effectiveness and coverage.

Insights of Healthcare Workers and Community Members on Mental Health Perception and Practices in Meru County, Kenya

Mental health is a neglected field in many low and middle-income countries, such as Kenya, where information on the prevalence of mental health conditions is scarce. This problem is aggravated by an uneven distribution of mental health service providers and widespread ignorance and stigma around mental illness in the general population. The study in Meru County, Kenya, aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare workers and community members regarding mental health. The study, a descriptive cross-sectional survey, involved 535 community members and 109 healthcare workers, employing both qualitative and quantitative methods. Data was collected through household surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions and analysed using univariate frequencies, descriptive statistics, and thematic analysis. The study revealed that 39% of community members had a family member with a mental health condition, while 68% of HCWs had been diagnosed with such conditions. Mental illness was often attributed to supernatural causes, genetics, substance abuse, and socio-economic pressures. A significant gap was found in the availability of counselling services in health facilities, with only 29.4% of HCWs reporting their presence. The perception of the affordability and accessibility of mental health services varied greatly between HCWs and community members. Additionally, while HCWs reported the availability of free medication, community members experienced shortages. The study also noted differing attitudes towards patients with mental illness in terms of respect and dignity and highlighted the use of traditional healers and religious leaders for mental health issues. This study contributes valuable insights into the state of mental health in Kenya, highlighting the high burden of mental illness, limited availability of services, and prevalent myths and misconceptions. It underscores the need for improved healthcare worker training, public awareness, and stronger health systems to address mental health issues effectively in Kenya and similar rural environments

Antibiotic resistance in Sudan: assessing the knowledge and practices of healthcare workers in Khartoum.

Antibiotic resistance (ABR) is a major public health issue, associated with increased patient morbidity and mortality globally, with significantly higher rates in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Assessment of contextual factors, such as information, education, infrastructure and regulations are important for developing local solutions against ABR. To determine the knowledge and practices of healthcare workers (HCWs) towards ABR in hospitals in Sudan. A survey was conducted in three different hospitals in Khartoum, Sudan from February to December 2020. HCWs of different specialties and expertise were invited to participate. Data were descriptively analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). ABR was identified as a big challenge by 89% of 345 HCWs who participated. The results show that 79% of doctors don't rely on the clinical microbiology laboratory (CML) results for antibiotic prescription or clinical decision-making. Sixty percent of HCWs agreed there are infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines in their hospital, but 74% of them don't have access to them, and infrequently receive relevant IPC training. Furthermore, HCWs obtain ABR information from other colleagues informally, not through local data or reports. Despite adequate knowledge of ABR locally, there are significant contextual technical challenges facing HCWs in Sudan, such as availability of policies and accurate data from CMLs. The results indicate a poor link between HCWs and the CMLs for infection management and it is essential to improve communication between the different hospital departments with regard to ABR transmission, and ensure the effectiveness of local IPC policies based on locally available data.

ASSESSING KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICE OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS REGARDING MEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT AT DISTRICT JAMSHORO, SINDH

This study aimed to evaluate the waste management knowledge, attitudes, and practices of three groups of healthcare workers: doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff. A cross-sectional study involved doctors, nurses, and technicians at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease (NICVD) and the Syed Abdullah Shah Institute of Medical and Health Science (SASIMS) in Shahwan Sharif, District Jamshoro, Sindh. A convenient non-probability sampling technique was used to select the study participants. A total of 370 healthcare workers consented to be part of the study. The data was obtained through the administration of questionnaires. Data were collected and compiled using Microsoft Excel and analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. This study had 39 (63.2%) males and 34 (36.8 %%) females. The median age of participants was 30.5 years, with a mean of 33.12 ± 8.2 years. The majority of the participants were paramedics (42.7%). They were followed by doctors (34.3%) and nurses (23%). The knowledge of healthcare workers indicated that there was a significant association between the waste categories (p = 0.02), type of waste (p = 0.00), color coding differentiation (p = 0.01), hospital policies (p = 0.00), infection control department (p = 0.03), risk toward healthcare workers (p = 0.00), human anatomical waste (p = 0.01), color-coding container used for wasted sharps and infectious solid waste (p = 0.00), and type of color-coding container (p = 0.00) This study highlights the discrepancies and inadequacies of knowledge and practice of proper healthcare waste management among healthcare workers. Healthcare workers with adequate knowledge were paramedics, doctors, and nurses. All healthcare personnel should have medical waste management guidelines ready and easily accessible.

Knowledge, Attitude and Associated Factors of Monkeypox Infection Among Healthcare Workers in Injibara General Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia.

Fighting health threats, especially the rise of new infectious diseases, is one of the main responsibilities of healthcare workers. However, their knowledge and attitudes toward monkeypox have not yet been assessed. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and factors associated with monkeypox infection among healthcare workers at Injibara General Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from December 1-30, 2022. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire. A simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression analyses were computed. The degree of association was interpreted using an odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval and a p-value < 0.05. Among the 200 healthcare workers who participated, 38.5% (95% CI: 32.5%-45%) and 62% (95% CI: 55-68.5%) had good knowledge and positive attitudes regarding monkeypox respectively. Having a master's degree or above (AOR = 11.25: 95% CI: 2.03-62.33), being vaccinated against COVID-19 (AOR = 2.60: 95% CI: 1.37-4.94), and having access to information about monkeypox (AOR = 3.37: 95% CI: 1.33-8.50) were the factors associated with good knowledge. Furthermore, a positive attitude was significantly associated with being 30 years of age or older (AOR = 2.95: 95% CI: 1.55-5.60) and having access to information about monkeypox (AOR = 4.14: 95% CI: 2.06, 8.30). Both good knowledge and positive attitudes were relatively low among healthcare workers. Factors such as age, education level, COVID-19 vaccination status, and access to information about monkeypox were significantly associated with the knowledge and attitude of healthcare workers. To enhance the knowledge and attitude of healthcare workers, hospitals should consider offering educational upgrades, hosting educational events like seminars, conferences, webinars, and campaigns, and ensuring comprehensive coverage of the topic in medical curricula.

Enhancing the notification system for surveillance of infectious diseases in Qatar during the FIFA World Cup 2022: project overview

BackgroundIn 2022, the Surveillance Department of the Ministry of Public Health in Qatar adopted an integrated project called the Notification Enhancement Project (NEP) to enhance the infectious disease notification system. Efficient surveillance and notification promote early alerts and allow immediate interference in reducing morbidity and mortality from outbreaks. The project was designed to improve the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and notification processes of healthcare workers in Qatar by increasing their reporting rates.MethodsThe strategy for comprehensively enhancing notifications was based on the observation and evaluation of the current notification system, the implementation of interventions, and post-evaluation follow-up. To implement the project, we relied on three aspects: effective methods used in previous relevant studies through a literature review, feedback received from healthcare workers, and suggestions from public health surveillance experts from the Ministry of Public Health, Qatar. A preassessment was conducted through an online survey by the Ministry of Public Health. The effectiveness of the different interventions was assessed by analyzing the data of notified patients reported through the Disease Surveillance and Reporting Electronic System. Pre- and postintervention assessments were performed by comparing the percentage of patients notified by healthcare providers with that of patients confirmed by healthcare providers in the laboratory to compare the notification rates over three time periods between January and December 2022.ResultsThere was significant improvement in the infectious disease notification process. A comparison before and after the implementation of the interventions revealed an increase in the communicable disease notification rate among healthcare workers. Pre- and postintervention data were compared. Infectious disease notification activities by healthcare workers increased from 2.5% between January and May 2022 to 41.4% between November and December 2022.ConclusionThis study highlights the efficiency of different interventions in correcting the underreporting of infectious diseases. Our findings suggest that implementing the Notification Enhancement Project significantly improves notification rates. We recommend continuing interventions through constant education and training, maintaining solid communication with HCWs through regular reminder emails and feedback, periodic assessment of the electronic notification system, and engagement of healthcare workers and other stakeholders to sustain and expand progress achieved through continuous evaluation.

Training and Active Case Detection to Prevent Leprosy: Effect on Knowledge, Attitude and Skills of Health Workers on Early Diagnosis of Leprosy in a Leprosy Hotspot District in Ethiopia.

Despite all of the efforts, leprosy continues to affect hundreds of thousands of people every year, including children, showing the ongoing transmission of the disease within the population. The transmission of leprosy can be interrupted through an integrated approach that includes active case-finding, contact tracing and capacity building of health workers. A cross-sectional study design was used to assess the knowledge, attitudes and skills of health workers in the screening and diagnosis of leprosy. One hundred and eighty-one and eighty-eight health care workers participated in the pre-and post-assessment surveys, respectively. Data were collected through interviews and an observational checklist. Frequency tables and graphs were used to describe the study variables, and statistical significance between pre- and post-assessment surveys was declared at p-value < 0.5. The percentages of healthcare workers with good knowledge, positive attitudes and skills were 61.2%, 55.6% and 51.7% in the pre-assessment survey and 77.3%, 56.3% and 75.0%, respectively, in the post-assessment survey. There was a significant improvement in the knowledge and skill scores of participants in the post-assessment survey (p < 0.01). During the campaign, 3780 index contacts were screened; 570 (15.1%) were diagnosed with skin diseases, and 17 new leprosy cases were diagnosed (case detection rate of 45 per 10,000 contacts). Training improved the knowledge and skills of healthcare workers, and a large number of skin diseases were detected through mass screening and active case findings. Providing training for frontline healthcare workers contributed to the detection of more cases and facilitated early detection of leprosy cases.

Knowledge, Attitudes, Anxiety, and Preventive Behaviors Regarding Covid-19 Affliction among Healthcare Workers in Pakistan

Introduction: We sought to assess the knowledge, attitudes, anxiety, and preventative behaviors of healthcare workers among high-risk persons regarding Covid-19 affliction. Methodology: The participants in this cross-sectional study were healthcare workers (physicians, nurses, administrators, pharmacists, medical lab technologists, non-physician specialists, and technicians) working in various hospitals and clinics in Pakistan’s twin cities (Islamabad/ Rawalpindi). To assess knowledge, attitude, anxiety, and preventive behaviors about Covid-19 affliction, a self-administered questionnaire was employed. Results: Every participant (n=470) said they were aware of the Covid-19 affliction. Regarding the knowledge of HCWs, 65.5% have good knowledge with a mean score of 6.77±1.17. It was discovered that physicians and pharmacists scored much higher on knowledge tests than other health professionals (P&lt; 0.0001). The percentage of positive attitudes among healthcare workers and the mean score was 93.4 and, 7.22±1.24, associated with education, i.e. P = 0.045. 16.1% of HCWs reported having mild anxiety, 57.9% had moderate anxiety, and 26% had severe anxiety with a mean score of 12.29±3.73 with a significant association with education (P&lt;0.0001), healthcare domain (P&lt;0.0001), and frontline HCW domain (P&lt;0.0001). The preventive behaviors indicate that 93.8% had good conduct (mean score = 3.65±0.63) with a positive association with education (P=0.045) and the healthcare domain (P=0.045). The Healthcare workers exhibited adequate awareness regarding Covid-19 affliction. Conclusion: The knowledge, attitudes, anxiety, and preventative behaviors of HCWs in twin cities of Pakistan related to the Covid-19 affliction study are relatively positive; however, anxiety problems in the present research must be resolved to effectively counter the Covid-19 affliction.

A study on the effectiveness of training programs in improving biomedical waste handling in a tertiary care hospital, Bengaluru: A pre-post study

BackgroundIn addition to being centres for healing, hospitals are major producers of infectious waste. The current study was carried out at a 700-bed tertiary care hospital in Bengaluru to assess Biomedical Waste (BMW) management practices at the source of generation and to ascertain the efficacy of training on the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of healthcare workers (HCW). MethodsBefore the structured training program, each participant filled out the pre-test questionnaire. The structured training program on BMW (M and H) rules was conducted using audiovisual learning techniques. Immediately after the end of the training session, participants were given the 1st post-test questionnaire. Three months after the training session, the participants were given the 2nd post-test questionnaire. ResultsOut of 183 participants involved in the study, 33.9 % of the participants were males, while 66.1 % were females. Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test was applied to the pre-and post-interventional knowledge and practices. There was a significant mean difference between pre-interventional (4.7 ± 1.7) and post-interventional knowledge (post-test 1–8.8 ± 1.3; post-test 2–7.3 ± 1.4) regarding Bio-medical waste management. Similarly, a significant difference in mean between pre-interventional (5.9 ± 1.4) and post-interventional practices (post-test 1–8.6 ± 1.1; post-test 2–7.3 ± 1.2) regarding BMW management. ConclusionThe study concluded that regular training programs on BMW and its hazards for all HCWs including group D workers should be conducted.

AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE OF VIRAL HEPATITIS PREVENTION AND TRANSMISSION IN HEALTHCARE WORKERS

The objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of healthcare workers about the prevention and transmission of hepatitis B virus. The study was conducted in Nishtar Medical Hospital, Multan, from January 2023 to September 2023 and included 300 healthcare workers, such as doctors and nurses. The participants were asked to fill out a 50-question questionnaire designed to test their knowledge about hepatitis B. The questionnaire was in English, but assistance was provided if needed. The questions were related to the virus, behaviors, and medical practices when treating infected patients, and it took an average of 30 minutes to complete. The results showed that 74% of the healthcare workers knew the consequences and possible complications of acquiring HBV infection. Between 69% and 80% of the respondents answered correctly about the transmission routes. However, only 24% of the HCWs knew the age distribution of the infections and that neonates were at the highest risk of developing it through mother-to-child transmission. Respondents answered wrongly about transmission through food and cutlery with the infected (69%), through sneezing and coughing (81%), prevention of infection by thorough cleaning (50%), and not sharing food and cutlery with the infected (55%). Only half of the workers knew about disposing of needles and syringes correctly. The average knowledge score was 24 ± 5 with a median score of 24 (10-33). Respondents performed the worst when answering questions about CHB monitoring and treatment. In conclusion, this study found that the awareness and knowledge about hepatitis B prevention and transmission among healthcare workers in Pakistan is poor. Therefore, it is recommended to make training programs mandatory for professionals to improve disease management.

Point of Use Treatment for Medical Devices: From Bedside to Battlefield.

Point of use (POU) treatment is a critical first step of medical device reprocessing. Reusable instruments and flexible endoscopes require a minimum of terminal sterilization or high-level disinfection, neither of which can be guaranteed if POU is performed incorrectly. Compliance considerations for POU include hospital accreditation readiness, unique austere surgical mission requirements, and the transition of future conflict towards Large Scale Combat Operations. This integrative review aims to describe POU for reusable instruments and endoscopes, and extrapolate implications for Military Health System policies and future considerations. The authors performed an integrative review and comprehensive literature search in PubMed and CINAHL with the keywords "point of use," "point of use cleaning," "POU," "instrument," "high-level disinfection," "endoscope," and "clean." Articles were limited to "English" and "human" from 2017 to 2023. The authors also performed a thorough review of the Defense Health Agency and service-specific doctrine, as well as national guidelines regarding POU adherence. The literature review yielded 18 articles that discussed the transport and reprocessing of reusable medical devices. Regulatory standards and national guidelines were used to supplement the literature. Seventeen evidence-based criteria were extrapolated from the literature to generate two step-by-step guides for the POU treatment of endoscopes and reusable instruments (Tables I and II). Despite increased morbidity and mortality rates linked to inadequate device reprocessing, compliance with POU procedures remains low. Barriers to practice included complex POU processes, intricately designed surgical instruments and endoscopes, lack of healthcare worker (HCW) knowledge and competency, and inadequate or ambiguously written policies. Training, competency assessments, and clearly written policies and procedures can be cost-effective, evidence-based, and feasible solutions. Completing POU treatment is critical to a successful surgical mission in both the hospital and austere environment. Implications to practice include implementing evidence-based POU programs that improve patient outcomes and readiness while decreasing costs.

COVID-19 infection prevention and control for hospital workers in Indonesia.

The outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in 2019 led to a global pandemic, posing unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems, particularly in hospitals. This study explores the intricacies of strategies employed for preventing and controlling COVID-19 in Indonesian hospitals, with a particular focus on the protocols, challenges, and solutions faced by healthcare professionals. Using a cross-sectional analysis, we examined 27 hospitals and uncovered disparities in their preparedness levels. During our investigation, we observed the robust implementation of infection prevention measures, which encompassed stringent protocols, adequate ventilation, and proper use of personal protective equipment. However, shortcomings were identified in areas such as surveillance, mental health support, and patient management. This study underscores the importance of addressing these gaps, suggesting tailored interventions, and continuous training for healthcare staff. Effective leadership, positive team dynamics, and adherence to comprehensive policies emerge as pivotal factors. Hospitals should strengthen weak areas, ensure the ethical execution of emergency protocols, and integrate technology for tracking and improving standard operating procedures. By enhancing the knowledge and skills of healthcare workers and maintaining strong management practices, hospitals can optimize their efforts in COVID-19 prevention and control, thereby safeguarding the wellbeing of professionals, patients, and communities.

A Study to Assess The Knowledge and Practice of Healthcare Workers and The General Public About Generic and Branded Medicine In Bengaluru

Background A generic drug is a pharmaceutical drug that contains the same chemical substance as a drug that was originally protected by chemical patents. The Indian government launched a project called the Jan Aushadhi Scheme to provide low-income people with unbranded quality medicines at affordable prices.Objective The study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of healthcare workers and the general public about generic and branded drugs.Methodology It was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study done with 150 respondents each from the general public and healthcare workers using a convenience sampling method.Results Among healthcare workers 52 had moderate and 48 had good knowledge and practice of generic medicines. Among the general public 65.3 had moderate and 34.7 had good knowledge of generic medicine and 30 had moderate and 70 had good practice. The study revealed that the age group 20-29 years had greater knowledge and participants with higher-level education had greater belief in the efficacy of generic medicine. The maximum 52 of the general public had agreed that if the doctor prescribes generic medicine then they will use generic medicine.Conclusion The study revealed that healthcare workers had more knowledge about generic medicine than the general public and the general public had better practice of generic medicine than healthcare workers. The study revealed that men were more knowledgeable about generic medicines than women among the general public.

Assessment of the knowledge of healthcare workers on monkeypox in Nigeria.

Monkeypox, a re-emerging zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), poses a public health challenge in Nigeria. To effectively combat this disease, it is essential to assess the knowledge of healthcare workers (HCWs) in Nigeria concerning monkeypox outbreak. A cross-sectional web-based survey with 609 healthcare workers in Nigeria was conducted using a structured questionnaire to assess their knowledge of monkeypox. Data were coded and analyzed with Microsoft Excel and Python in Anaconda Jupyter Notebook. The majority of respondents (n=318, 52.2%) had good knowledge of MPXV but also had knowledge gaps regarding certain symptoms and disease similarities. Interestingly, respondents were completely unaware of the possibility of sexual transmission of the disease. However, they recognized the possible significant impact of monkeypox on the social and economic lifestyle of Nigerians (n=582, 95.6%, adjOR=21.181, 95% CI: 14.450-31.051). Respondents had mixed knowledge regarding the use of smallpox vaccines and antiviral agents for monkeypox prevention and treatment. Furthermore, a significant proportion (n=526, 86.4%, adjOR=0.159, 95% CI: 0.126-0.201) attributed the outbreak to bioterrorism. The logistic regression highlighted a strong influence of academic qualification, type of healthcare provider, years of experience, and geopolitical zone of practice, on monkeypox knowledge in Nigeria. The study highlights the importance of continuous education for healthcare professionals in Nigeria to improve monkeypox outbreak management. Despite their moderate performance, there are knowledge gaps in critical areas among HCWs, necessitating further research to explore reasons and influencing factors for knowledge levels.