Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Regarding on Use of Personal Protective Equipment Among Midwives Working in Labour Ward at Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Hospital 2018 to 2020

Abstract

A significant percentage (4.6%) of babies delivered vaginally at Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Hospital developed neonatal sepsis from 2018-2020. This is attributed to non-adherence by midwives to the recommended Infection Prevention and control principles that include use of personal protective equipment (PPE). The purpose of this research was to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding use of personal protective equipment among midwives working in the labor ward. A quantitative, descriptive survey research design was used in this study. A purposive sampling method was used to select all the 34 midwives working in the labour ward. Self-administered questionnaires with sections namely, demographic information, knowledge, attitudes and practices with closed and open-ended questions were used to collect data. Majority (91%) participants had an age range of 20 to 50 years were females (69%) and had more than 3 years working experience in the labour word (91%). The findings indicate that the midwives working in the labour ward are mostly females who are not elderly, have adequate experience of working in the labour and are likely to withstand the heavy labour ward nursing demands. All the participants had heard about PPE and agreed that its use was important although a big number (47%) were not aware that the hospital had IPC policy. More than half (59%) did not know that PPE reduces the spread of infection despite all (100%) knowing how to wear and remove PPE. Majority (81%) participants cited that the hospital 81%) had no regular trainings for staff on use of PPE. The findings demonstrate that the midwives working in labour ward have partial information regarding use of PPE. More than half (56%) had not attended the yearly IPC in-service training/work. Most (65%) participants indicated that PPE makes them feel uncomfortable and majority (72%) felt that the workload in the labour ward made them not to wear PPE. The finding also revealed that most of the participants have negative attitude towards use of PPE. The results revealed that use of PPE in the labour ward was encouraged (72%) but only (56%) participants used PPE (putting on gloves, goggles, gowns/aprons, masks) all the time when indicated and most (60%) participants did not wear PPE in emergencies. A very big number (84%) indicated that PPE was not always available in the maternity. The findings suggest that majority of midwives working in the labour ward do not use PPE when indicated and the PPE is not always available for them to use. The maternity hospital management, therefore, needs to equip the hospital in particular the labour ward with adequate PPE. Continuous training for all midwives in the maternity hospital in particular the labour ward on IPC with reference to PPE use needs to be conducted. The training will equip the midwives with adequate knowledge and skills to enable them to appropriately use PPE that will prevent occurrence of neonatal sepsis.