Cross-infection and infection control in dental clinics in Nablus and Tulkarm districts

Background Infection control had many developments in the COVID 19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) pandemic, despite this, there were many complications in different health care facilities as well as dentists’ clinics due to the lack of infection control knowledge and compliance failure. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge and compliance with the infection control measures in the dental clinics in the Nablus and Tulkarm districts. Results The results showed that the total positive response regard all infection control domains were (70.0 %). Whereas the participants gave the highest positive response for personnel protective equipment i.e. gloving was (96.10 %). They gave the instruments related to controls the lowest responses, i.e. instruments sterilization was (59.40 %). The analyzed data showed significant statistical differences in the compliance with infection control measures between Nablus and Tulkarm districts “p < 0.05” in the interest of dentists from Tulkarm. Conclusions In conclusion, the findings of this study showed that there is moderate compliance to infection control protocol in Nablus and Tulkarm dental clinics. Thus, there is a need to strengthen adherence to infection control measures. Method A universal sampling was used to assess the infection control program at the dental clinics in Nablus and Tulkarm Districts. The study sample involved 265 dentists. Data was collected using a questionnaire which has been sent via email between July and August 2020. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, One-way ANOVA and Post-Hock tests have been used. Statistical significance was set at ″P <0.05″. Cronbach’s alpha has been conducted to ensure the reliability and validity of the questionnaire.

Acquaintance and Awareness of Budding Physicians toward Antimicrobials' Use: Need of the Hour

Background Development of new antibiotics has been slow in the past decades, despite the urgent need. Final-year undergraduate students, interns, and postgraduate students are future prescribers of antimicrobials. It is important they have proper knowledge and attitude toward antibiotic prescription, so that antibiotic resistance could be dealt wisely. Aims The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitude of undergraduate, interns, and postgraduate medical students regarding antimicrobials, antibiotics resistance, and associated factors. Methodology A total of 150 final-year medical students, interns, and resident doctors were included, 50 in each group. Participants were contacted individually and were asked to fill a prevalidated questionnaire. Information was collected on three broad categories: basic information about antimicrobials, knowledge regarding treatment of common infections, and belief and attitude toward antimicrobials. Percentages were calculated for the categorical data and chi-squared test was used for univariate analysis of the categorical data, where p-value less than 0.05 was considered to be significant. Results Precisely, 80.67% were able to answer which type of infections need antibiotics; 19.33% responded that both viral and bacterial infections need antibiotics; 44.67% preferred using broad-spectrum antibiotics for definitive treatment; 28.66% answered macrolides as most commonly used for upper respiratory tract infection; 56% considered fluoroquinolones are most commonly used for urinary tract infection with p-value less than 0.05 between the groups; 43.33% were unaware of the infection control program; while 72.66% were unaware about the antibiotic policy in their institute. Conclusion The majority had sufficient basic knowledge about antibiotics, yet there were areas for concern. Study findings may help to formulate new learning objectives for medical students to inculcate proper knowledge and attitude toward antibiotic prescription.

Healthcare professionals knowledge and practices towards hospital infections in surgical clinics

Background: Hospital-acquired infections are a major public health problem, as they increase hospitalization, cost, morbidity, mortality and antibiotic resistance. Aim: To assess the level of knowledge and practices of health professionals about hospital infections in surgical clinics and investigate possible determinants that affects their compliance with international protocols for prevention and control of hospital infections. Methods: A cross-sectional study with a convenience sample was conducted. Study population included 106 health professionals from medical and nursing staff in surgical clinics of a general hospital in Attica. Data collection was conducted during October and December 2019. We used the Healthcare-Associated Infections questionnaire to measure knowledge and practices of health professionals about hospital infections. Results: The mean overall knowledge score for hospital infections was 59.4, indicating a moderate level of knowledge. The highest level of knowledge was about the safety of healthcare professionals, while the lowest level was about the source of hospital infections. The results of the multivariate linear regression showed that participants who were aware of the infection control program at their hospital and knew they had to wash their hands following the six steps of the hand hygiene protocol had a higher level of knowledge score regarding hospital infections. In contrast, participants who felt that their hospital was following a good infection control and prevention strategy had a lower level of knowledge. In addition, healthcare professionals who washed their hands before and after examining patients, after using medical equipment for patient care, throughout and after the end of the shift, and after removing disposable gloves had a higher level of knowledge for hospital infections. Conclusions: The findings of the present study are consistent with the international literature on the existence of a moderate level of knowledge regarding international prevention guidelines. Compliance of healthcare professionals is essential to achieve universal, quality and safe healthcare and a safe working environment

Cross-Infection and Infection Control in Dental Clinics In Nablus and Tulkarm Districts

Background: Infection control had many developments in the COVID 19 pandemic, despite this, there were many complications in different health care facilities as well as dentists’ clinics due to the lack of infection control knowledge and compliance failure.Aim: To assess the level of knowledge and compliance with the infection control measures in the dental clinics in Nablus and Tulkarm districts.Method: A universal Sampling was used to assess the infection control program at the dental clinics in Nablus and Tulkarm District. The study sample involved 265 dentists. Data was collected using a questionnaire which has been sent via email between July and August 2020. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, One-way ANOVA and Post-Hock tests have been used. Statistical significance was set at ″P <0.05″. Cronbach's alpha has been conducted to ensure the reliability and validity of the questionnaire.Findings: The results showed that the total positive response regard all infection control domains were (70.0%). Whereas the participants gave the highest positive response for personnel protective equipment i.e gloving (96.10%), they gave the instruments related controls the lowest responses i.e instruments sterilization were (59.40%). The analyzed data showed significant statistical differences in the compliance with infection control measures between Nablus and Tulkarm districts “p < 0.05” in the interest of dentists from Tulkarm.Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that there is a moderate compliance to infection control protocol in Nablus and Tulkarm dental clinics. Thus, there is a need to strengthen the adherence to infection control measures.

PENINGKATAN PENGETAHUAN DAN KEAHLIAN DIAGNOSIS MIKROSKOPIS BTA PETUGAS LABORATORIUM DI SORONG PADA ERA PANDEMI COVID-19

ABSTRAKPenyakit Tuberkulosis (TB) Paru merupakan salah satu penyebab morbiditas dan mortalitas penting di dunia. Indonesia masih merupakan salah satu negara yang mempunyai beban TB yang terbesar diantara 5 negara yaitu: India, China, Nigeria dan Pakistan. Kota dan Kabupaten Sorong merupakan salah satu daerah di Propinsi Papua Barat dimana TB masih menjadi salah satu permasalahan kesehatan. Pemeriksaan mikroskopis TB dengan metode Ziehl Neelsen, menurut WHO, masih merupakan sarana diagnostik yang sensitif, spesifik, praktis, dan juga murah. Belum terstandardisasinya kinerja petugas laboratorium TB juga menjadi kendala tersendiri dalam diagnosis TB dengan metode Ziehl Neelsen. Munculnya pandemi Covid-19 yang melanda dunia termasuk Indonesia, membuat berbagai kegiatan menjadi tertunda. Kegiatan Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat di tengah pandemi Covid-19 ini terpaksa dilakukan dalam bentuk “workshop online”. Dalam meningkatkan pengetahuan digunakan aplikasi zoom untuk kuliah penyegaran, memberikan informasi terbaru terkait TB di Indonesia dan pengetahuan tambahan lainnya. Sedangkan dalam meningkatkan keahlian dilakukan praktek pembuatan sediaan mikroskopis TB dan latihan pembacaan sediaan mikroskopis TB yang dilaksanakan secara offline di laboratorium Mikrobiologi Rumah Sakit JP Wanane, yang dimonitor dan dibimbing oleh Dokter Spesialis Mikrobiologi Klinik yang bertugas di sana. Melalui kegiatan Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat yang dilakukan oleh Universitas Airlangga ini, diharapkan dapat membangkitkan lagi semangat, melakukan penyegaran serta menambah pengetahuan dan ketrampilan bagi tenaga kesehatan di daerah untuk dapat melakukan tugasnya dengan baik sehingga Program Pengendalian Infeksi Tuberkulosis dapat kembali berjalan sebagaimana seharusnya. Kata kunci : tuberkulosis, pemeriksaan mikroskopis, sorong, pandemi Covid-19 ABSTRACTPulmonary Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most important causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. Indonesia is still one of the countries with the largest burden of TB among 5 countries, namely: India, China, Nigeria and Pakistan. Sorong City is one of the areas in Western Papua, Indonesia, where TB is still a health problem. According to WHO, microscopic examination of TB by the Ziehl Neelsen method is still a sensitive, specific, practical, and inexpensive diagnostic tool. The unstandardized performance of TB laboratory personnel has also become an obstacle in itself in diagnosing TB with the Ziehl Neelsen method. The emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic has delayed various activities. Community Service Activities in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic had to be carried out in the form of an "online workshop". In increasing knowledge, the zoom application is used for refresher lectures, providing the latest information related to TB in Indonesia and other additional knowledge. Meanwhile, in increasing expertise, the practice of making TB microscopic preparations and reading exercises for TB microscopic preparations was carried out offline in the Microbiology laboratory of the JP Wanane Hospital, which was monitored and guided by the Clinical Microbiology Specialist who served there. Through this Community Service activity carried out by Airlangga University, it is hoped that it can revive enthusiasm, refresh and increase knowledge and skills for health workers in the regions to be able to carry out their duties properly so that the Tuberculosis Infection Control Program can resume running as it should.Keyword : tuberculosis, microscopic examination, Sorong, Covid-19 pandemic

High Prevalence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus among Healthcare Facilities and Its Related Factors in Myanmar (2018–2019)

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health problem. Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is a common bacterium associated with a variety of community and hospital infections. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) accounts for most SA related morbidity and mortality. In this study, we determined the prevalence and factors associated with SA and MRSA in Myanmar. Methods: We collected the data retrospectively by reviewing an electronic register containing the results of bacterial culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing of biological specimens received from healthcare facilities during 2018–2019. Results: Of the 37,798 biological specimens with bacterial culture growth, 22% (8244) were Gram-positive. Among the Gram-positive bacteria, 42% (2801) were SA, of which 48% (1331) were judged as MRSA by phenotypic methods. The prevalence of MRSA was higher in the older age groups, in female patients, in urine specimens and specimens received from the intensive care unit and dermatology departments. One site (Site F) had the highest MRSA prevalence of the seven AMR sentinel sites. Most SA isolates were sensitive to vancomycin (90%) by phenotypic methods. Conclusions: The high prevalence of MRSA indicates a major public health threat. There is an urgent need to strengthen the AMR surveillance and hospital infection control program in Myanmar.