Stethoscope disinfection is rarely done in Ethiopia: what are the associated factors?

Abstract

14Background: The stethoscope, which is universally used as a medical device by healthcare 15 providers, is likely to be contaminated by pathogenic microorganisms. And regular cleaning of 16 the diaphragm of the stethoscope with a suitable disinfectant is decisive. However, in the 17 resource constrained setting like many healthcare facilities in Ethiopia healthcare provider's 18 stethoscope disinfection practice and its associated factors have not been well studied so far. 19Therefore, this study sought to determine stethoscope disinfection practice and associated factors 20 among the healthcare providers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 21Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional survey was carried out between April and May 2016. 22For this survey, 576 healthcare providers were included from 21 healthcare facilities in Addis 23Ababa. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Descriptive statistics 24 were computed. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify 25 factors that were significantly associated with stethoscope disinfection after every use. 26Results: Five hundred forty six participants were take part in this study, for a response rate of 27 94.7%. Of these, only 39.7% (95%CI: 35.9, 44.0%) of healthcare providers disinfecting their 28 stethoscope after every use. Physicians were less likely to disinfect there stethoscope compared 29 to nurses (AOR=0.21; 95%CI: 0.09, 0.49). Healthcare providers who had awareness on infection 30 prevention guideline, healthcare providers who had favorable attitude towards infection 31 prevention and participants having safe infection prevention practice have better stethoscope 32 disinfection practice after every use as compared to their counterparts (AOR=1.93; 95%CI: 1.31, 33 2.82), (AOR=1.73, 95%CI: 1.02, 2.93), and (AOR=3.79, 95%CI: 2.45-5.84), respectively.34 Conclusions: Only a small proportion of healthcare providers disinfect their stethoscopes after 35 every use. Factors such as awareness on infection prevention guidelines, favorable attitude 3 36 towards infection prevention and safe infection prevention practice were the independent 37 predictors of stethoscopes disinfection after every use. Hence, implementation of effective 38 training on stethoscope disinfection along with increasing awareness on infection prevention 39 may improve stethoscope disinfection practice.40

The critical role of infection prevention overlooked in Ethiopia, only one-half of health-care workers had safe practice: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…In fact, the risk of contracting HAIs is variable and multifaceted: prevalently, it depends on a patient's immune status, the local prevalence of various pathogens, and the HCWs infection prevention practices. Hence, the need for having strong infection prevention programs nationally; and at the healthcare facility levels have been therefore important [29,30,32,43,44]. Un sustained compliance with infection prevention possibly places HCWs at equal, if not at higher risk of contracting bacterial and viral infections such as HIV, HBV, HCV, and MRSA in healthcare facilities [9].…”

“…From that day on, considerable progress has been made in understanding the basic principles, acceptance, and use of evidence-based infection prevention practices in Ethiopia [9]. Despite the effort underway, studies reported inconsistent findings regarding HCWs infection prevention practice in Ethiopia [19,20,27,29-33]. Although the reporting of such practices is important for the prevention and control of HAIs and improving quality of care, the previously conducted studies had many differences in the geographical regions and preceded remarkable variations in the reported practices.…”

Stethoscope and Non-Infrared Thermometer Disinfection among Physicians: A Cross-Sectional Study with Implications for the Control of COVID-19

“…The sample size was determined using Epi Info™ 7.1.1.14 statistical software (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013) using single population proportion formula with the assumption of 95% confidence level, 5% precision, considering the proportion of healthcare workers who had safe stethoscope disinfection practice was 39.7% [2], and considering 25% non-response rate. The calculated sample size was (n=460).…”

“…Stethoscopes are the most customary medical equipment wield by physicians on a daily basis, among various patients. With the rise of potential infections in the healthcare setups, stethoscope disinfection should not be pardoned [1][2][3][4]. The Gold Standard is to disinfect stethoscopes after each contact with patients [5].…”

“…Current studies suggest that disinfecting stethoscopes between each patient contact using a 70% isopropyl alcohol swab or alcohol pad from the bell to the earpieces, including the tubing, is effective in eradicating bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [6,7]. However, only a minority of healthcare workers regularly disinfect their stethoscopes [2,8,9].…”