Knowledge and practice of preparedness for infectious disease prevention and control among healthcare workers in secondary health care facilities in Osogbo, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Health care workers have critical roles to play in breaking the chain of infections in health care settings. The outbreak of Lassa Fever and Ebola Virus Disease in the West African sub-region in recent times is a rationale for a dire need for a strong epidemic preparedness system. The objective of the study is to assess the knowledge and practice of preparedness for infectious disease prevention and control among healthcare workers in secondary health care facilities in Osogbo, Nigeria.
Methods: It was a Descriptive cross sectional study and 340 healthcare workers were selected using a multistage sampling technique. Research instrument used were semi structured pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using the SPSS software version 17 .0.
Results: The mean age of the respondents was 42 + 8.9 years. Out of the 340 healthcare workers studied 88.7% had good knowledge, while 72% and 67% had favorable attitude and good practice towards preparedness for infectious disease prevention and control respectively. Three hundred and eight (90.6%) said they washed their hands regularly before and after procedures. Only 37.4% said they still recap used needles and 31.8% said they have Infectious Disease Prevention and Control committee in their health facility. One hundred and ninety eight (58.2%) said they normally practice quarantine for eligible suspected cases and 77.4% perceived themselves to be at occupational risk of contracting infectious diseases. Having more than ten years of working experience was the major predictor of likelihood to have good knowledge, attitude and practice of preparedness on binary logistic regression analysis.
Conclusion: The gap between knowledge and practice of preparedness for Infectious Disease and prevention Control calls for improved awareness and training among health workers, and their consistent monitoring towards behavioural change.