Nosocomical infection: assessment of knowledge and prevention practices among radiographers in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Infection, including nosocomial infections, remains a major health issue in developing nations such as Nigeria.

Objective: The objective of the study was to assess both knowledge and prevention practices of nosocomial infection among radiographers in Lagos, Nigeria.

Methods: In this prospective, cross sectional study, convenience sampling was used to select four tertiary hospitals in Lagos metropolis used for the study. Semistructured questionnaires and observation were used to collect data. Data were analyzed with the SPSS computer software, version 17.0.

Results: Male respondents scored between 64% and 100% in all questions posed to test their knowledge of nosocomial infection and its prevention while their female colleagues scored between 82% and 100% in the same questions. On the assessment of their nosocomial infection prevention practices, male radiographers scored an average of 37% whereas female radiographers scored and average of 39%.

Conclusion: Lagos radiographers' knowledge of nosocomial infection and methods of preventing their transmission was excellent. However, nosocomial infection prevention practices were poor amongst the participants. Regulatory authorities should make proof of compliance with infection prevention practices a part of annual performance evaluation of radiographers in the country.

Keywords: Infection; Nosocomial; Knowledge; Prevention; Radiographers