Author(s)

Emmanuel Gasaba¹, Jonathan Niciza¹, Daniel Muhayimana¹, Edouard Niyongabo^1,2

¹Hope Africa University, faculty of Health Sciences, Master of Science in Nursing, BI-Bujumbura, Burundi.
²National Institute of Public Health, Department of Public Health Sciences, Bujumbura, Burundi.

Background: Nosocomial infections are some of public health problems globally and continue to be increased regardless of the hospital’s efforts on infection control measures and are contributing significantly to morbidity, mortality and cost. The absence of infection control policies, guidelines and trained professionals also contributes to the magnitude of the problem. The aim of this study was to assess the Knowledge, attitude and practices towards infection control measures among healthcare workers at Old Mutare Hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was used to acquire information. A purposive sampling method was used to select 22 nurses, 15 nurse Aids and 2 laboratory technicians (Lab Tech). A self-administered questionnaire with four components addressing demographic data, knowledge, attitudes and practices was used to collect data that was completed by a checklist. Results: The study findings revealed a poor knowledge of infection control measures among the nurse’s aide. The attitude and practices among participants were impartially good in all variables. The participants had scored over 50% towards their attitude and their practices on infection control. A significant statistical difference was found between the professional status of the participants and the ability to explain how one can get Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) and awareness of infection control programs in their hospital (r_s = 0.640, 0.645) with P < 0.05 (0.01, 0.01) respectively. Conclusion: Despite of having a fair attitude and practice towards infection control, the participants had presented poor knowledge; therefore, it had been recommended that in service training and workshop should be planned by the administration to update their knowledge and attain full compliance towards their practice.

Infection Control, Hospital Acquired Infections, Nurse, Nurse’s Aide, Laboratory Technicians

Gasaba, E. , Niciza, J. , Muhayimana, D. and Niyongabo, E. (2020) Infection Control Measures among Healthcare Workers: Knowledge, Attitude and Practice. Open Journal of Nursing, 10, 1068-1080. doi: 10.4236/ojn.2020.1011076.