Assessing Infection Prevention Adherence and related factors among Health- care Workers in Covid-19 Era at a Regional Health Facility in Ghana; An Insti-tutionalized Based Study
Abstract
Eunice Fordjour, Eugene Dogkotenge Kuugbee, Maxwell Owusu Peprah, Francis Appiah Boadu, Elizabeth Essuah, and Gloria Commey
Introduction: The COVID-19 disease is a global problem. Healthcare providers who are at the forefront of caring for, educating and treating the infected patients are at a higher risk of contracting the disease. Effective infection control measures prevent the spread of the disease, especially among medical practioners. This study aimed to determine knowledge, attitudes, and adherence to infection prevention and related factors among healthcare workers in the COVID-19 era at Bono Regional Hospital.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed and (n=348) respondents were selected using a simple random sampling technique. A validated and structured questionnaire was administered face-to-face to assemble data. the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 (USA) was used to analyze study data. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted and at a 95% level of confidence and an alpha value set at <0.05, the relationship between the outcome and explanatory variables was considered significant statistically.
Results: Respondents' had 52.3% adequate knowledge and 50% adequate attitudes towards infection prevention and 72.1% good adherence to infection prevention practices. Related factors such as diploma education, seminar on infection control and availability of infection prevention protocol significantly predicted providers good adherence to infection prevention and control.
Conclusion: Respondents' adequate knowledge and attitudes significantly contributed to good adherence to infection prevention. Continuous training and seminars on infection prevention and control could help improve respondents' knowledge with a subsequent increase in attitudes and practices towards preventing and controlling infection, especially during a disease outbreak.