INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL PRACTICE: COMPLIANCE AMONG HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN NIGERIA DURING COVID-19

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 infection has become a global pandemic and received attention worldwide with varying consequences of death or ill-health among Health Care Workers (HCWs). As a result of COVID-19, infection prevention and control (IPC) practices have been identified to play a concrete role in combating the spread of COVID-19 globally. Infection prevention and control (IPC) programs that are well-planned and carefully implemented have been shown to reduce illness, reduce hospital stays, prevent death, and save money.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate compliance with IPC practice among HCWs in Nigeria.

Methods: The study adopted a cross-sectional design that used a self-administered paper-based questionnaire. Seventy-eight (78) HCWs workers from different disciplines in different healthcare centres participated across Nigeria. A convenience sampling technique was used. Descriptive statistics of percentages and descriptive statistics were used to present the results.

Results: more than half of the participants 44 (56.4%), were medical doctors with the majority of respondents’ ages ranging between 25 and 34 years. All the respondents indicated 100% compliance with handwashing practices during the period of COVID-19. Only 65 (83.2%) wear surgical/N95 masks during patient contact while 51 (65.3%) ensure the maintenance of social/physical distancing during working hours.

Conclusion: This study revealed that the HCWs in Nigeria have a relatively good compliance rate to IPC practice indicating they are better positioned to combat outbreaks.