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

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 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: Of the 213 health workers approached, 75 (35%) participated in the study. The majority were males, 39(52%) and the mean age was 36.92 years. Of the 75 participants, 52(69%) had sufficient knowledge of Covid-19 IPC while 51(68%) had adequate compliance with Covid-19 IPC. Adequate compliance was significantly associated with training in Covid-19 IPC (OR, 2.86; 95% CI, (1.04-7.88); p=0.039), access to Covid-19 IPC materials at workstations (OR, 2.90; 95% CI, (1.06 - 8.09); p=0.036), and having strong institutional support (OR, 3.08; 95% CI, (1.08 – 8.74); p=0.031). However, there was no significant relationship between knowledge and compliance with IPC (p=0.07). The socio-demographic characteristics of health workershad 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.

Predictors of knowledge and adherence to COVID-19 safety protocols among nurses at health facilities in Tamale Metropolis of Northern Ghana

“…In comparison to the more than 60% of respondents who had adequate knowledge, adherence to the safety protocols was woefully low. This finding contradicts the findings of previous studies, which found that having adequate knowledge resulted in higher adherence [ 51 , 52 ]. However, other studies suggested that adequate knowledge does not always result in higher adherence [ 53 ].…”

COVID-19 preventive practices and associated factors among high school and preparatory school students in Dessie City, Ethiopia

“…The rate of reporting good preventive practices was 1.9 times higher in females than in males. Similar ratios were reported by three other studies in Ethiopia ( 42 , 51 , 52 ) and by studies in Bangladesh ( 53 ), Uganda ( 54 ), Syria ( 37 ), Jordan ( 55 ), Iran ( 56 ), Beijing ( 57 ), Bangladesh ( 29 ), and in Saudi Arabia ( 58 ).…”

“…Students who had received IPC training were 1.91 times more likely to mention good preventive practices than those without IPC training, corroborating a study on health workers in Uganda ( 54 ) and frontline health workers in Nepal ( 61 ).…”

A pandemic within a pandemic? Admission to COVID-19 wards in hospitals is associated with increased prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in two African settings

“…Whilst IPC measures were not explicitly changed for COVID-19 wards in either country, guidance in both emphasised the adherence to and continued use of existing IPC guidance. IPC changes and compliance are difficult to quantify using guidelines alone and it was not possible to establish a clear causal relationship in this study [60,61]. Systematically measuring the use of PPE, hand hygiene and ward cleaning routines and its effect on AMR and HAI transmission merits further research [62,63].…”