Individual factors affecting compliance with standard infection prevention precautions on the use of personal protective equipment among community health practitioners in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Individual factors may have an impact on how well healthcare workers adhere to standards for infection prevention. The aim of the study was to identify individual factors affecting compliance with personal protective equipment (PPE) use among community health practitioners in Bayelsa State, Nigeria.Methods: Three hundred and fifty-four (354) self-structured questionnaires were manually distributed among community health practitioners who worked at government-owned primary health care facilities in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Item mean analysis with a criterion mean set at 2.0 was used to analyze the quantitative data of the 3-Likert scale and results were presented in tables, item mean, and percentages.Results: Individual factors affecting compliance with standard infection prevention precautions on the use of PPE were difficulty to feel veins while wearing PPE (x=2.7), some level of discomfort while performing skills using the PPE (x=2.0), and lack of knowledge of how to use the PPE (x=2.9). It was also revealed that those who complied with the standard infection prevention precaution do so because they understand that the use of PPE prevents them from being infected (x=2.9).Conclusions: Individual factors that affect compliance with standard infection prevention precautions on the use of PPE among community health practitioners can be modified. It is recommended that community health practitioners should have a positive attitude towards compliance with standard infection prevention precautions, especially in this post-COVID-19 era. The government should conduct continuous in-service training and regular supportive supervision on compliance with standard infection prevention precautions among health workers in the primary health care setting.

Factors Affecting Community Treatment in Bandar Masilam Health Center, Bandar Masilam District, Simalungun Regency

“…Community knowledge about health and illness is still lacking, lack of guidance for the community at the Bandar Masilam Health Center to ask questions about the health center and health and illness to health workers and their relatives. However, the number of people visiting the Bandar Masilam Health Center was quite a lot, the community gave the reason that they would seek treatment at the Health Center if the Health Center was profitable for them [19]. So according to them ignorance of the programs/activities of the Health Center is not important for them, what is important for the community is when they realize that if they are sick, they will seek treatment at the Health Center.…”

Home round: a strategy for improving community health

“…A trained community health practitioner working at a primary healthcare center in Nigeria is expected to give an account of the health of patients who visit their health centers from catchment areas. 1 To improve community health, the community health practitioner must be skillful in identifying complex health needs, offer safe, highquality treatment, and provide necessary health education or referral services. 2 This can only be done when the home round is in place.…”

“…Home rounds and home visits are both essential strategies of primary healthcare, but they serve different purposes and involve distinct approaches. 1 While a home round is initiated on outpatient still on medications especially since most primary healthcare facilities don't admit patients, a home visit is conducted after the patient has been discharged from a hospital or on a patient who could not visit the health facility. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] Understanding the nuances between these two practices is crucial for healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive and effective care.…”

“…9 In addition to their impact on patient care, home rounds also serve as a valuable learning experience for interns, students, and junior primary health care staff. 1 Observing senior health workers during home rounds provides an opportunity to learn about different conditions that can be managed at the primary health care level, treatment strategies, and patient management, and when to refer the patient to specialist care. It also offers insights into the decision-making process and the importance of effective communication within a multidisciplinary team.…”

Acceptability of mental health toolbox talk in primary health care service; a case study of Oshodi/ Isolo local government area, Lagos state, Nigeria

“…[8][9][10] The use of less specialized general health workers to deliver defined tasks such as identification, treatment, delivery of psychological therapies, or family psycho-education termed 'task sharing' or 'task shifting' which has been demonstrated to be successful LMIC. [11][12][13][14] In addition, part of the tools suggested to be offered in the facilities is a mental health toolbox talk. [15][16][17] A mental health toolbox talk is a great way to deliver information on mental health and raise awareness.…”