scholarly journals A health worker knowledge, attitudes and practices survey of SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention and control in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saiendhra Vasudevan Moodley ◽  
Muzimkhulu Zungu ◽  
Molebogeng Malotle ◽  
Kuku Voyi ◽  
Nico Claassen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Health Worker ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
World Health ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background Health workers are crucial to the successful implementation of infection prevention and control strategies to limit the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 at healthcare facilities. The aim of our study was to determine SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention and control knowledge and attitudes of frontline health workers in four provinces of South Africa as well as explore some elements of health worker and health facility infection prevention and control practices. Methods A cross-sectional study design was utilised. The study population comprised both clinical and non-clinical staff working in casualty departments, outpatient departments, and entrance points of health facilities. A structured self-administered questionnaire was developed using the World Health Organization guidance as the basis for the knowledge questions. COVID-19 protocols were observed during data collection. Results A total of 286 health workers from 47 health facilities at different levels of care participated in the survey. The mean score on the 10 knowledge items was 6.3 (SD = 1.6). Approximately two-thirds of participants (67.4%) answered six or more questions correctly while less than a quarter of all participants (24.1%) managed to score eight or more. A knowledge score of 8 or more was significantly associated with occupational category (being either a medical doctor or nurse), age (< 40 years) and level of hospital (tertiary level). Only half of participants (50.7%) felt adequately prepared to deal with patients with COVD-19 at the time of the survey. The health workers displaying attitudes that would put themselves or others at risk were in the minority. Only 55.6% of participants had received infection prevention and control training. Some participants indicated they did not have access to medical masks (11.8%) and gloves (9.9%) in their departments. Conclusions The attitudes of participants reflected a willingness to engage in appropriate SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention and control practices as well as a commitment to be involved in COVID-19 patient care. Ensuring adequate infection prevention and control training for all staff and universal access to appropriate PPE were identified as key areas that needed to be addressed. Interim and final reports which identified key shortcomings that needed to be addressed were provided to the relevant provincial departments of health.

scholarly journals SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention and control at healthcare facilities in South Africa: A knowledge, attitudes, and practices survey of health workers in four provinces

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saiendhra Vasudevan Moodley ◽  
Muzimkhulu Zungu ◽  
Molebogeng Malotle ◽  
Kuku Voyi ◽  
Nico Claassen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Universal Access ◽  
World Health ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background: Health workers are crucial to the successful implementation of infection prevention and control strategies to limit the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 at healthcare facilities. The aim of our study was to determine SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention and control knowledge and attitudes of frontline health workers in four provinces of South Africa as well as explore some elements of health worker and health facility infection prevention and control practices.Methods: A cross-sectional study design was utilised. The study population comprised both clinical and non-clinical staff working in the casualty and outpatient departments. A structured questionnaire was developed using the World Health Organization guidance as the basis for the knowledge questions. The questionnaire was self-administered, and COVID-19 protocols were observed during data collection.Results: A total of 286 health workers from 47 health facilities at different levels of care participated in the survey. The mean score on the 10 knowledge items was 6.3 (SD=1.6). Approximately two-thirds of participants (67.4%) answered six or more questions correctly while less than a quarter of all participants (24.1%) managed to score eight or more. A knowledge score of 8 or more was significantly associated with occupational category (being either a medical doctor or nurse), age (<40 years) and level of hospital (tertiary level). Only half of participants (50.7%) felt adequately prepared to deal with patients with COVD-19 at the time of the survey. The health workers displaying attitudes that would put themselves or others at risk were in the minority. Only 55.6% of participants had received infection prevention and control training. Some participants indicated they did not have access to medical masks (11.8%) and gloves (9.9%) in their departments.Conclusions: The attitudes of participants reflected a willingness to engage in appropriate SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention and control practices as well as a commitment to be involved in COVID-19 patient care. Ensuring adequate infection prevention and control training for all staff and universal access to appropriate PPE were identified as key areas that needed to be addressed. Interim and final reports which identified key shortcomings that needed to be addressed were provided to the provincial departments of health.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Infection, Prevention and Control Program in Goromonzi District, Zimbabwe, 2018: A process outcome evaluation

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Govha Emmanuel ◽  
Zizhou Simukai Tirivanhu ◽  
Shambira Gerald ◽  
Gombe Tafara Notion ◽  
Tsitsi Juru ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Facility ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Outcome Evaluation ◽  
Hazard Identification ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Hiv Test ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background A healthcare-associated infection (HAI) is defined as an infection originating in the environment of a health facility that was not present or incubating at the time of patient admission. HAIs can be prevented through infection, prevention and control (IPC) measures. No hazard identification and risk assessment IPC rounds and monthly meetings were conducted in Goromonzi district since 1st of January to 30th of June 2018. No trainings nor orientation for the new employees was conducted. We therefore evaluated Goromonzi District IPC program. Methods A process-outcome evaluation using the logic model was conducted in Goromonzi district’s 15 health facilities. Checklists, interviewer administered questionnaires and key informant guides were used to collect data on availability of inputs, knowledge of health workers, processes performed, outputs and outcomes achieved. Data were entered into Epi Info 7TM, which was used to generate frequencies and proportions. Qualitative data from checklists and key informants interviews was sorted manually into themes and analysed. Results All 15 health facilities had adequate stocks of HIV test kits and PEP kits. Adequate bins and detergents were found in only 3/15 (20%) of health facilities. All facilities failed to hold a single IPC meeting and none had specific budget for IPC in 2018. No IPC mentorship activities were carried out in the district. Only 7/13 (54%) health workers who had needle pricks received PEP with 2/7 (29%) of them finishing the course. No health facility had a functional HAI surveillance system. The overall knowledge rating was fair. Conclusion The IPC program inputs in Goromonzi district were inadequate hence its failure to achieve the intended outputs and outcomes. Inadequate knowledge, unavailability of health worker training plans, specific budgets and absence of IPC committees reflected non prioritisation of the program.

scholarly journals Train-the-Trainers in hand hygiene: a standardized approach to guide education in infection prevention and control

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ermira Tartari ◽  
Carolina Fankhauser ◽  
Sarah Masson-Roy ◽  
Hilda Márquez-Villarreal ◽  
Inmaculada Fernández Moreno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
World Health ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Hand Hygiene Improvement ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background Harmonization in hand hygiene training for infection prevention and control (IPC) professionals is lacking. We describe a standardized approach to training, using a “Train-the-Trainers” (TTT) concept for IPC professionals and assess its impact on hand hygiene knowledge in six countries. Methods We developed a three-day simulation-based TTT course based on the World Health Organization (WHO) Multimodal Hand Hygiene Improvement Strategy. To evaluate its impact, we have performed a pre-and post-course knowledge questionnaire. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the results before and after training. Results Between June 2016 and January 2018 we conducted seven TTT courses in six countries: Iran, Malaysia, Mexico, South Africa, Spain and Thailand. A total of 305 IPC professionals completed the programme. Participants included nurses (n = 196; 64.2%), physicians (n = 53; 17.3%) and other health professionals (n = 56; 18.3%). In total, participants from more than 20 countries were trained. A significant (p < 0.05) improvement in knowledge between the pre- and post-TTT training phases was observed in all countries. Puebla (Mexico) had the highest improvement (22.3%; p < 0.001), followed by Malaysia (21.2%; p < 0.001), Jalisco (Mexico; 20.2%; p < 0.001), Thailand (18.8%; p < 0.001), South Africa (18.3%; p < 0.001), Iran (17.5%; p < 0.001) and Spain (9.7%; p = 0.047). Spain had the highest overall test scores, while Thailand had the lowest pre- and post-scores. Positive aspects reported included: unique learning environment, sharing experiences, hands-on practices on a secure environment and networking among IPC professionals. Sustainability was assessed through follow-up evaluations conducted in three original TTT course sites in Mexico (Jalisco and Puebla) and in Spain: improvement was sustained in the last follow-up phase when assessed 5 months, 1 year and 2 years after the first TTT course, respectively. Conclusions The TTT in hand hygiene model proved to be effective in enhancing participant’s knowledge, sharing experiences and networking. IPC professionals can use this reference training method worldwide to further disseminate knowledge to other health care workers.

scholarly journals Health Worker Compliance with Infection Prevention and Control Policy in Ghana: A Case Study of La General Hospital

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 150-161
Author(s):  
Vincentia D. Kondor
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
General Hospital ◽  
Health Worker ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Control Policy ◽  
Time Constraints ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
And Control

Infection Prevention And Control Is An Important Topic In The Delivery Of Quality Health Care Because It Aims At Protecting The Patient, The Health Worker, And The General Public. The Main Objective Of The Study Was To Determine Health Workers’ Compliance With Infection Prevention And Control Policy Guidelines During Health Care Delivery. A Cross-Sectional Design Using A Quantitative Method Was Used To Carry Out This Study In Which 143 Health Workers At The La General Hospital Were Selected Using A Stratified Sampling Method. The Data Collected Using A Structured Questionnaire Was Statistically Analyzed Using Chi-Square Test And Logistic Regression To Establish An Association Between The Dependent And Independent Variables Using A Significance Level Of P<0.05 At 95% Confidence Interval. The Results Indicated That Knowledge Of Infection Prevention And Control Among Health Workers Was High As 97% Had Adequate Knowledge, With 64% Of This Proportion Having Excellent Knowledge. Additionally, The Availability Of Infection Prevention Resources To Health Workers Always Was 31.4%; Non-Compliance Due To Time Constraints At Work Was 66.4%, And Compliance With Infection Prevention And Control Guidelines Was 30.7%. Time Constraint At Work Was Significantly Associated With Health Workers’ Compliance With Infection Prevention And Control (P = 0.001). The Paper Suggests That Regular In-Service Training On Infection Prevention And Control Must Be Continued To Improve The Standards Of Health Delivery Practice. Management Is Encouraged To Improve The Availability Of Infection Prevention Resources To Health Workers And To Duly Regulate Staff Workload In Order To Reduce Time Constraints And Prevent Burnout.

scholarly journals Assessment of COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Capabilities in 39 Haitian Hospitals

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (S1) ◽  
pp. s66-s66
Author(s):  
Afeke Kambui ◽  
Mentor Lucien ◽  
Catherine Emilien ◽  
Francois Staco ◽  
Ymeline Pateau St Vil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
International Development ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Humanitarian Assistance ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Agency For International Development ◽  
And Control

Background: Infection prevention and control (IPC) is key (1) to keeping health workers and patients safe from contracting infections during care, (2) to enabling continuity of essential health services, and (3) to pandemic preparedness and response. Frontline health workers are at 3-fold increased risk for COVID-19 (Lancet 2020) and account for 6% of COVID-19 hospitalizations (CDC 2020). With the support of the US Agency for International Development Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA) and collaboration of the Haitian Ministry of Health (MSPP), MSH’s Rapid Support to COVID-19 Response in Haiti project (RSCR Haiti) developed an instrument to assess select public hospitals and identify IPC gaps that informed COVID-19 response and system strengthening measures for increasing patient and provider safety. Methods: The IPC tool contains 13 IPC domains and 80 questions, for a total of 600 points. It was developed based on the World Health Organization IPC Assessment Framework for Health Facilities (2018) and US Centers for Disease Control Facility Readiness Assessment for COVID-19 (2020). In total, 39 health facilities chosen by the MSPP across all 10 departments of Haiti were evaluated in October 2020. Data were analyzed in Microsoft Excel by category, site, and IPC capabilities then classified as inadequate, basic, intermediate or advanced. Results: IPC capabilities scored as inadequate in 18% and basic in 67% of hospitals (Graph 1). No institution was advanced. Among health facilities, IPC programs existed in only 18%; IPC guidelines or procedures were present in 38%; staff were trained regularly in 12%; and healthcare-associated infection surveillance was performed in 19%. Systems for COVID-19 triage existed in 56%; 39% had IPC commodity management systems; 45% provided COVID-19 training; 26% practiced monitoring of staff and patients for COVID-19; 36% had protocols for an influx of COVID-19 cases; and 72% practiced risk communication (Table 1). Conclusions: No health facility was sufficiently equipped to implement adequate COVID-19 IPC measures, and all needed strengthening, even in the highest-scoring IPC areas. Through RSCR Haiti, MSH and MSPP were able to identify and address priorities in hospitals: establishing hospital IPC programs; training staff; monitoring health workers and patients; and implementing guidance, triage, and commodity-management systems. This study demonstrates that it is possible to do a quick yet thorough assessment to rapidly identify IPC needs and opportunities, using the results to rapidly build response capacity. Haiti’s experience of integrating locally contextualized global IPC tools to inform systemic COVID-19 response measures can benefit other experts globally.Funding: United States Agency for International Development Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA)Disclosures: None

scholarly journals Developing a theory-based behavior change intervention to improve the prescription of surgical prophylaxis in an Egyptian University Hospital.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna-Leena Lohiniva ◽  
Iman Heweidy ◽  
Samiha Abdu ◽  
Abouelata Omar ◽  
Caroline Ackley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Theoretical Domains Framework ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
World Health ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Surgical Prophylaxis ◽  
Context Specific ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is increasingly pervasive due to multiple, complex prescribing and consuming behaviours. Accordingly, behaviour change is an important component of response to AMR. Little is known about the best approaches to change antibiotic use practices and behaviours. This project aims to develop a context-specific behaviour change strategy focusing on promoting appropriate prescription practices following the World Health Organization recommendations for surgical prophylaxis in an orthopaedic surgery unit in Egypt.Methods: The project included a formative qualitative research study was based on the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to explore the determinants for inappropriate prescription of surgical antibiotic prophylaxis at an orthopaedic unit. The intervention was developed to following the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) in a knowledge co-production workshop with infection prevention and control experts that ensured that the theory based intervention was a culturally acceptable, practical and implementable intervention. Results: The prescription of surgical prophylaxis was influenced by five TDF domains including, knowledge, belief in consequences (mistrust towards infection prevention and control measures), environmental factors (lack of prescription guidelines) , professional role and reinforcement (a lack of appropriate follow up actions influenced prescription of surgical prophylaxis). The appropriate set of behaviour change functions of BCW and related activities to improve the current practices included education, enablement, persuasion, environmental restructuring and restriction. Conclusions The study showed that a theory based and context specific intervention can be created by using the TDF and BCW together with knowledge-co creation to improve the prescription of surgical prophylaxis in and Egyptian orthopaedic unit. The intervention need to piloted and scaled up.

The impact of supportive supervision of infection prevention and control practices on Ebola outbreak in Liberia

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 287-293
Author(s):  
Ogbaini-Emovon Ephraim ◽  
Sneh Cyrus ◽  
Pajibo Myer ◽  
Abah Steve
Keyword(s):  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Supportive Supervision ◽  
And Control ◽  
Isolation Facilities ◽  
The Impact

Background: Supportive supervision of infection prevention and control (IPC) practices was one of a range of interventions employed at the county level in the control of the world’s most deadly Ebola virus disease outbreak that affected Liberia during 2013–2016. Methods: Datasets generated from four consecutive assessment visits to 25 health facilities in Maryland County, in Liberia, were analysed. Information on IPC practices was obtained by interview, direct observation and completion of a standardised assessment tool. For each of the IPC fields assessed, a score < 50% was graded poor, 50–75% as fair, while > 75% was rated as good. Results: Before the intervention, the first assessment (baseline) indicated that the majority of the health facilities scored low in terms of isolation facilities, IPC administration, supply and equipment, personnel and staffing, triage and waste management. Following the application of supportive supervision and monitoring, all the facilities recorded moderate to good performance in all the fields during the fourth round of assessment, except for isolation facilities, which scored low. Conclusion: Supportive supervision and monitoring of healthcare facilities appeared to have contributed to the improvement in IPC standards and compliance during the Ebola outbreak as demonstrated in this small-scale study and should be sustained as a core component of IPC programs, particularly in prolonged outbreak situations.

scholarly journals Infection prevention and control in health facilities in post-Ebola Liberia: don't forget the private sector!

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 94-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Tremblay ◽  
E. Musa ◽  
C. Cooper ◽  
R. Van den Bergh ◽  
P. Owiti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Private Sector ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
And Control
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