Exploring Healthcare Workers' Practices In Preventing Nosocomial Infections At Kasangati Health Center, Uganda.

Abstract

This study examines healthcare workers' practices in preventing nosocomial infections at Kasangati Health Center IV, Uganda, focusing on knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to infection prevention. A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed, and data were collected from a sample of 70 healthcare workers using structured interviews. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, logistic regression, and correlation analysis were utilized for data analysis. The findings reveal a significant gap between healthcare workers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding nosocomial infection prevention. While 65.7% of healthcare workers demonstrated adequate knowledge and positive attitudes toward infection control measures, only 48.6% exhibited consistent adherence to recommended practices. Organizational support, resource availability, individual perceptions, and clear policy guidelines emerged as key factors influencing healthcare workers' practices. Correlation analysis demonstrated significant positive correlations between healthcare workers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding nosocomial infection prevention (Knowledge-Practices: r = 0.70, p < 0.001; Attitudes-Practices: r = 0.55, p = 0.03). Logistic regression analysis revealed that healthcare workers perceiving supportive organizational cultures were 1.85 times more likely to exhibit positive infection control practices (AOR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.12-3.07). Similarly, those with positive perceptions and beliefs regarding infection control were 2.15 times more likely to adhere to recommended practices (AOR: 2.15, 95% CI: 1.31-3.52). These findings underscore the importance of addressing the identified gaps in knowledge, attitudes, and practices to enhance infection prevention and control measures at Kasangati Health Center IV. Recommendations include government support, healthcare facility management prioritization, continuous education and training, community engagement, and research and monitoring efforts. Implementing these recommendations can strengthen infection prevention and control practices, ultimately improving patient safety and healthcare outcomes at Kasangati Health Center IV and similar healthcare facilities in Uganda.

Key: Nosocomial infections, Infection control practices, Healthcare workers