Knowledge and Practice of Kaduna State Health Care Providers on Infection Prevention and Control during COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: Infection prevention and control (IPC) measures during the novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak is key in minimizing the rate of spread of this infection among health care workers (HCWs) and patients. This study assessed the knowledge and practice of IPC among HCWs in Kaduna State.
Methods: It was a cross-sectional study carried out between April to June 2020. A stratified sampling method was used to select 446 HCWs who were interviewed using a structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Data was collected using Open Data Kit (ODK) Platform on mobile phones. Analyses was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.
Results: Three hundred and ten (69.5%) of respondents had good knowledge of COVID-19 with a mean score for knowledge as SD: 12.58. Binary logistic regression showed that factors independently associated with good knowledge were 46-55 years age group (aOR: 0.432; 95% CI 0.027-0.900; and p.0.025). Overall, one hundred and eighty-seven (42%) of respondents had good practice scores with a mean score for practice as SD: 9.005. Factors that are significantly associated with IPC practice are ethnicity (Hausa ethnic group) and cadre of personnel (Medical Doctors, Nurses/Midwives, Pharmacist, Community Health officers, Community Health Extension workers, and Environmental Health Officers, Laboratory Scientists/Technicians, and Hospital attendants) which shows decreased odds. Using Pearson's correlation, there is a positive correlation between knowledge of HCWs on COVID-19 infection and infection prevention and control practices (r = 0.330, p = .000). Conclusion: The study shows appreciably good knowledge of COVID-19 among healthcare workers. Further and continuous training of health workers is needed and adequate personal protective equipment (PPEs) should be provided with medical materials needed for good practice.