Infection Prevention and Control Awareness & Practices among Community Health Workers at Primary Healthcare Settings of Islamabad

Abstract

Background: Infection prevention and control measures include hand hygiene, use of protective gloves, injection safety and waste segregation (i.e. use of color coded bins). Healthcare associated infections continue to spread in Pakistan, as a result of poor awareness and practices of IPC measures among healthcare workers. In this regard community health workers’ IPC awareness and practices are critical to avoid infections. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess IPC awareness and practices among community health workers in Islamabad, as well as to identify the associated factors that influence IPC awareness and practice among community health workers. Methodology: In Islamabad, a cross-sectional study was carried out including community health workers from primary healthcare facilities. The method of non probability consecutive sampling was used to choose a total of 262 participants. After receiving their consent, participants were given a structured questionnaire to evaluate their awareness and practices regarding IPC. The Chi-squared test and Fisher’s exact test were used to assess significant association between awareness, practices and socio demographic characteristics. Results: Out of 262 respondents, majority were female 63.7% and were with age of 40 years 211 (80.6%). The mostly community health workers were graduate 144(55%). Analysis showed significant association for hand hygiene between level of awareness, age group, and work experience. For protective gloves, education and awareness level were associated. Similarly, injection safety practices and job status showed significant relationship. And for waste segregation, level of education and good awareness were associated with (P value < 0.05). iv Conclusion: The study results also reflect the importance of interventions that can help community health workers to develop and improve their IPC awareness and practices in order to minimize the healthcare associated infections in Pakistan. Keywords: IPC, Hand Hygiene, Protective gloves, injection safety, Community Health Workers, Islamabad