Preventive Practices of Nosocomial Infections among Health Workers in Two Selected Tertiary Hospitals in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Hospital-acquired infection (HAI) is one of the common challenges faced by hospitals in all countries globally. In Nigeria, many lives are lost because of the spread of nosocomial infections in hospitals. Health workers are not only expected to be knowledgeable about HAI but are also to practice prevention against the spread of HAI.

Aim: This study assessed the level of knowledge, preventive practices against nosocomial infection and the factors affecting the practices against nosocomial infection among health workers in two selected tertiary hospitals in Ogun State.

Method: A descriptive survey was done using proportionate and convenient sampling techniques to recruit respondents for this study. A selfstructured validated questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.86 was used for the data collection. Data retrieved were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the use of Statistical Package for the Social Scientist (SPSS) version 21.

Results: Findings revealed that 94.1% of the respondents had high knowledge about nosocomial infection, 95.9% had high knowledge of preventive practices against nosocomial infection. Factors that affect preventive practices were workload, lack of equipment and distance to preventive equipment.

Conclusion: The study concluded that the health workers in the selected tertiary hospitals had a high level of knowledge about HAI and practice though the practices were affected by some factors.

Keywords: Health Workers, Knowledge, Nosocomial Infections