Health Care : Current Reviews

Infection prevention and control: practice, uptake, and administrative control among primary health care workers in Enugu metropolis, Southeast Nigeria

7^th World Summit on Neonatal Nursing and Health Care & 5^th World Congress on Infection Prevention and Control

October 18, 2022 | Webinar

Casmir Ndubuisi Ochie

University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu, Nigeria

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Health Care Curr Rev

Abstract:

Introduction: Administrative supervision of infection prevention and control (IPC) is the most important aspect IPC/ hazard controls. The practice, uptake, and compliance to IPC is a documented, cost effective method of interrupting the infection transmission pathways. Poor or nonadherence to this has led to disabilities and loss of lives among health care workers, especially in the face of emerging and re emerging infections. The present study evaluated the practice of IPC as well as its uptake and administrative control among the primary health care workers in Enugu metropolis, Southeast Nigeria. Methodology: This was an analytical cross sectional study using semi structured self administered questionnaires and an observation checklist. Eligible health care workers (HCWs) were selected using simple random sampling from ten primary health care (PHC) facilities. Chi square test was used to examine associations of interest. Binary logistic regression was employed to identify predictors of good IPC practices. Results: Three hundred eligible health care workers participated in this study. More than a fifth (n = 65, 21.7%) of HCWs exhibited good practice of IPC measures. Correct practice of handwashing was noted among 275 (95.7%) of the respondents. Majority (n = 224, 74.7%) reported recapping of needles and engaged in unsanitary disposal of health care wastes (n = 257, 85.7%). The prevalence of needlestick injuries 3 months prior to the study period was 53.3% (n = 160). Majority of those sampled reported a lack of IPC committee (n = 220, 73.3%), conspicuous signage to aid movement (n = 230, 76.7%), and an IPC policy (n = 217, 72.3%) in their respective centers. Identified predictors of good practice of IPC were age <40 years (adjusted odds ratios [AORs] 0.572; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.382–0.57), being a community health extension worker or community health officer (AOR 3.759; 95% CI 1.564–9.034), and working for <20 years (AOR 5.1 95% CI 5.0 5.73). Conclusion: Poor level of practice of IPC and compliance to administrative control among PHC workers, in addition to lack of administrative facilities, remains a great challenge. There is an urgent need for capacity building on IPC and administrative support to reverse this trend.

Biography :

Casmir Ndubuisi Ochie has completed his MBBS MPH MSc (occupational health safety and environment) FWACP in University of Nigeria | UNN. He is a consultant public health and community physician consultant in Occupational Health and Safety Physician.