A descriptive, cross-sectional study investigating infection control and prevention practices at a tertiary hospital in rural Uganda

Abstract

Background: At least 1.4 million people are affected globally by nosocomial infections with majority occurring in low-income countries and this has been strongly inclined with occurrence of surgical site infections (SSI).

Most of these can be prevented by adopting inexpensive infection prevention and control measures such as hand washing and safe waste disposal.

Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study to assess infection control and prevention practices at Fort portal regional referral hospital (FPRRH). A three months study where 111 Health Care Workers (HCWs) that were systematically randomly selected to respond to self-administered questionnaires aimed at assessing infection control and prevention practices. Data was coded and analyzed using SPSS. The data obtained from HCWs in relation to infection control and prevention was analyzed using descriptive statistics while knowledge of HCWs was coded using a scoring criterion of poor, fair, good and excellent for HCWs who mentioned 0, 1-2, 3-4 and 5 respectively.(1)

Results: 111 HCWs were involved in this study. 66.7% (74) were in the age group of 20-29. 58.6% (65) were male. Most of the respondents were students 39.6% (44), HCWs at the level of a degree 45% (50). Majority 55% (61) had good knowledge of various infection control methods however there was no active infection control program in the health facility despite sufficient infection control supplies which would have improved the implementation of infection control and prevention measures as evidenced by presence of hand washing facilities as reported by the respondents 80.2%, 89

Of the 111 respondents, 55% (61) reported no guidelines on safe injection in their departments and only 53.2% (59) were able to mention all the 5 moments of hand washing.

Conclusions: There was good infection control and prevention at Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital (FPRRH) as evidenced by good hand hygiene, proper sterilization, proper sharps disposal and safe waste management. However, low level of adherence to the safe injection practices and proper 5 moments of hand washing as modalities of infection control and prevention of surgical site infections were noted