Knowledge, attitude, and practice of healthcare professionals regarding infection prevention at Gondar University referral hospital, northwest Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives Workplace health and safety is vital in every organization particularly in the healthcare settings. The aim was to assess the levels of knowledge, attitude, and practices of the healthcare professionals towards safety at Gondar University referral hospital. An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to June 2018. Proportional random sampling technique was used to include 282 study participants and data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results Among 282 study participants, 230 (81.6%), 181 (64.2%), and 162 (57.4%) had adequate knowledge, favorable attitude, and adequate practice scores, respectively. More than half (55.3%) of the study participants were untrained. There was a high (26.6%) prevalence of needlestick injury; however, the use of post-exposure prophylaxis after potential exposures was very limited. Generally, the levels of knowledge, attitude, and practice scores among the study participants were low. Therefore, there should be adequate and consistent supply of personal protective devices and other materials used for infection prevention and control. In addition, there should be awareness raising mechanism, including the provision of job aids and periodic training. Further, comprehensive studies should be conducted by including different types and levels of health facilities.

Factors determining the knowledge and prevention practice of healthcare workers towards COVID-19 in Amhara region, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional survey

“…Based on the multivariable model, being trained in IP and having IP guidelines were positively associated with the knowledge and prevention practice of HWs towards COVID-19. This was supported by findings from formers studies [ 15 , 25 , 26 , 42 ] that reported training was a predictor to improve the knowledge and practice of IP among HWs. The primary aim of training in IP is to improve the knowledge of HWs about preventive mechanisms and how to apply them to prevent infections at working places and accessing the required IP equipment and guidelines.…”

“…The outputs of this study are crucial to HWs, health facilities, health offices and researchers to halt the spread of COVID-19 and fill literature gap [ 20 , 23 , 30 ]. Because HWs are at the front line in the COVID-19 prevention system, they have the highest risk of acquiring the infection and spreading it to their families and the community [ 16 , 24 , 25 ]. In addition, HWs have faced psychological stress and social stigma because of COVID-19 and their occupation [ 12 , 18 , 31 ].…”

“…On the other hand, the current knowledge level was found to be lower compared to former study findings of COVID-19 and IP practices. It was found lower than 81.6% from Gondar University Hospital [ 25 ], 86.4% from Dessie Hospital [ 32 ], 84% from Bahir Dar City [ 33 ], and 84.6% from Debremarkos Town [ 34 ]. All the former studies were about knowledge of HWs on the general IP practices but this study is HWs’ knowledge about COVID-19.…”

“…The overall practice score was almost consistent with study findings from Addis Ababa [ 26 ] and Wolita Sodo [ 41 ], Ethiopia, where the infection prevention practices of HWs were 66.1% and 60.5%, respectively. On the other hand, it was higher than 36.8% from Bale zone [ 24 ], 57.4% from Gondar University Hospital [ 25 ], 23% from Dessie Town [ 32 ], 54.2% from Bahir Dar City [ 33 ], 56.8% from Nigeria [ 16 ] and 57.3% from Debremarkos Town [ 34 ]. This difference might be related to variations in the study period, study topic, presence of IP guideline and PPE materials, access to IP training and commitment of HWs [ 15 , 24 , 25 ].…”

Knowledge towards standard precautions among healthcare providers of hospitals in Amhara region, Ethiopia, 2017: a cross sectional study

“…The finding revealed that study participants in the current study had good knowledge of standard precautions compared to some other studies. Studies were done in Nigeria [21,30] Addis Ababa [31], West Arsi district [18] and Gondar University referral hospital [32] showed that 37.7, 65, 69, 53.7 and 57.4% of HCWs had good knowledge towards SPs respectively. This difference might be accounted for by the studies done in Nigeria included study participants from a single medical center.…”