Abstract

Background: The world is currently experiencing second wave of the ongoing coronavirus disease-19 pandemic. Health workers are also being engulfed by this catastrophe along with others. Adherence to infection control practices is of utmost importance for healthcare workers to prevent the infection of health workforce and also the patients. Limited data are available regarding the same among healthcare workers in this region of Punjab. Hence, this study was planned to assess the adherence and practices of health-care staff regarding infection control practices and barriers faced by them in following these practices.

Aim and Objectives: This study was designed to assess the awareness and practices of Infection Prevention and Control guidelines and to identify barriers and motivators for healthcare workers’ adherence to Infection Prevention and Control guidelines.

Materials and Methods: The current study was a cross-sectional study conducted in the medical institutions of Punjab. A semi-structured self-made pre-validated questionnaire was circulated among the health-care staff through Google forms sent in different WhatsApp groups of the healthcare workers. Data collected were analyzed using Epi-Info statistical package for windows.

Results: The knowledge level of the participants regarding all the other infection prevention and control (IPC) practices was good except for the recommended duration of hand hygiene. The practice of recommended steps of hand hygiene was poor and was fair in case of other parameters. The major barriers in the adherence of IPC were lack of training and unavailability of necessary infrastructure and equipment. Hand hygiene practice was found to be significantly associated with working experience and number of IPC training attended.

Conclusion: The knowledge level of infection prevention and control measures among the respondents was good but the practice was poor. The infection control guidelines need to be vigorously enforced; doctors need to be properly oriented, trained, and retrained on the infection control measures and the needed consumables, and supplies should be provided, to ensure the strict adherence to the infection control guidelines at all times.

Key words: Coronavirus Disease-19; Healthcare Workers; Adherence; Preventive Measures