Correlates of Compliance to IPC Protocol among Healthcare Workers during Covid-19: Survey of A Rural Health Facility in Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Globally, millions of people are affected by hospital acquired infections (HAIs), which are completely avoidable. Effective infection, prevention and control (IPC) procedures lead to more than 30% reduction in hospital acquired infection rates. This study sought to assess the knowledge of IPC among healthcare workers, evaluate availability and access to IPC materials at the facility and level of compliance with IPC guidelines.This was done at a comprehensive model primary health centre (PHC), Pakoto, Ogun State.This cross-sectional self-administered survey among all the healthcare workers sought to obtain data to determine the knowledge level of compliance, and correlates of compliance to the IPC policy. Data was analysed with SPSS version 21 and presented as frequency tables. Respondents were mostly female (71.6%) with a mean age of 36.8 + 6.8 years. Majority (71.6%) knew there was an IPC policy, 67.6% knew the IPC nurse and 54.9% knew there was a COVID-19 triage area. Majority (85.3%) correctly indicated that suspected patients should be kept in the triage area and the Disease Surveillance Notification Officer (DSNO) informed. Compliance with IPC protocols was high (88.0%). IPC materials like surgical facemasks, gloves, hand washing items like liquid soap, disinfectants or detergents and running water were available between 65.7% and 89.2% of the time.Gaps in knowledge, availability of IPC materials and compliance to protocols need to be addressed in order to reduce chances of COVID-19 transmission.