AWARENESS AND PRACTICES OF INFECTION CONTROL MEASURES AMONG HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University,

2 Department of Family and Community Health, Faculty of Nursing, Damietta University, Egypt.

Abstract

Introduction: Health care providers (HCPs) are at the frontline of the response to the
COVID-19 pandemic and are thus exposed to threats that place them at the risk of
infection. The increased risk of COVID-19 nosocomial transmission can result from
poor awareness among HCPs and inadequate infection control practices. Aim of
Work: To appraise awareness of coronavirus COVID-19 infection control (IC) and
practices of infection control measures among health care providers (HCPs) in Beni-
Suef governorate, Egypt. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 477
HCPs was done using a structured questionnaire. In Google forms a questionnaire was
created, and connection was shared with HCP’s WhatsApp and Facebook groups.
In the investigators’ contact lists the connection was also shared directly with HCPs.
The questionnaire was divided into 3 parts to assess participants socio-demographics,
awareness about the disease , infection prevention and control practices against
COVID-19.Results: Among the participants; 69.2% were females, and the mean age
of the group was 31.5±7.6 years with a mean professional experience of 8.2±7 years
(50.7% had <6 years experience). The level of satisfactory awareness and practices
about COVID-19 disease was reported in 67.5.6% and 75.3% of participants,
respectively. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis showed that; regular
training in IC was the only factor increasing the probability of satisfactory awareness
and practices (p-value <0.001, OR, 95% CI; 3.69, 2.39:5.71 and p-value=0.001,
OR, 95%CI; 2.29, 1.43:3.67). HCPs with >6 years work experience had three times
satisfactory practice level compared to their ≤6 years experience peers (p-value=0.004,
OR, 95%CI; 2.81, 1.4:5.9). Conclusion and Recommendations: Awareness and
practice scores among HCPs in Beni-Suef Governorate, Egypt were satisfactory with a 
need towards improving the donning and doffing practices of their personal protective
equipment (PPE). Effective infection control measures, including frequent skillbased
training and continuous professional development would enhance competent
practices of infection control for all categories of HCPs.

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