Knowledge and Practices Regarding Covid-19 Infection Prevention Among General Hands at Mutawatawa District Hospital from January 2020 to December 2021

Abstract

The burden of the corona virus has continued to grow over the past two years in terms of deaths and socioeconomic constraints. Healthcare workers including general hands as frontline workers have high risk of getting infected by the corona virus as well as becoming a source of infection for patients and the community. The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge and practices regarding COVID-19 infection prevention among general hands. A quantitative descriptive survey design was used in this study. A census sampling method was used to recruit 14 participants with an age range of 21 to 60 years. A structured interviewer administered questionnaire with three sections namely, demographic information knowledge and practices was used for data collection. Statistical Package for Social Sciences analysed the data. The study results showed that many (71.4%) participants had worked for 1 to 20 years. The finding reflects that the hospital retained its general hands for a long duration, which enables them to understand and practise their duties including infection prevention and control practices. Almost all (92.9%) participants were trained on COVID-19 infection prevention by nurses (84.6%). Majority (85.7%) knew the definition of infection prevention and control practices. All participants cited that personal protective equipment (PPE) protects individuals from infections and injuries. Many (71.4%) correctly stated how COVID-19 infection is spread and its signs and symptoms (92.9%). Although majority (85.7%) participants knew that COVID-19 infection is highly transmissive, a small number (42.9%) knew how it is prevented. The hospital had policies on use of PPE (92.9%) and all participants were informed of these policies in particular use of PPE when cleaning rooms where patients with COVID-19 infection are nursed. Many (71.4%) participants correctly cited the practices that prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection. All participants were aware that a person after testing positive for COVID-19 infection stays for 14 days in isolation. However, only half (50%) participants refrained from handshaking their reason being that it is cultural to shake hands when greeting. A significant number (7.1%) removed their PPE when working in an isolation ward for COVID-19 infected patients. Furthermore, more than half (57.14%) took off their masks when speaking to other people. Most (71.4%) participants stated the hospital had adequate measures to prevent COVID-19 infection among its employees because 50% indicated that PPE and hand sanitizers were available, and screening of COVID-19 infection was done by the entrance gate. General hands and other hospital staff needed to observe PPE protocols (35.7%), maintain social distance (35.7%), be trained and observe infection prevention and control practices (28.6%) to prevent COVID-19 infection among themselves. The findings revealed that most of the general hands have adequate knowledge regarding COVID-19 infection and its prevention. However, a significant number of general hands do not exercise recommended practices to prevent the infection. Therefore, training of general hands on COVID-19 infection prevention should be conducted continuously emphasising on observing the WHO COVID -19 prevention protocols and avoiding hand shaking.