Infection control knowledge and practices among radiographers at government hospitals in the Gaza Strip-Palestine: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION

Infections acquired in hospitals are a major concern for patients, professionals and policymakers. They have an impact on the morbidity and mortality rates, length of stay, and microbial resistance. Radiology departments are at high risk for nosocomial infections, and radiographers must adhere to infection control protocols to avoid contracting illnesses and the spread of pathogens. The purpose of this study was to assess radiographers' knowledge and practise of infection control and standard precautions in the Gaza Strip-Palestine government hospitals and to identify the factors that impede radiographers' implementation of infection control.

METHODS

A hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study design was applied. A self-administered questionnaire survey with 24 items was developed and distributed to examine radiographers' knowledge and practise of nosocomial infections control and standard precautions from September 2019 to February 2020. Descriptive and inferential statistics were generated using SPSS version 20.

RESULTS

With a response rate of 86.6%, 73 males and 37 females out of a total of 127 radiographers participated in this study. The vast majority of radiographers, 86 (78.2%), have never been trained in infection control. Total levels of knowledge and practise were 74.4% and 65.2%, respectively which corresponded to moderate levels. Age had a statistically significant impact on both knowledge and practise scores (P = 0.002 and p = 0.019, respectively). In addition, the differences between radiographers' years of work experience and their ratings on knowledge and practise were statistically significant (P = 0.001 and p = 0.011, respectively). A heavy workload, insufficient time, and a lack of training were the main barriers to implementing infection control measures in hospitals.

CONCLUSION

Palestinian radiographers reported a moderate level of knowledge and practise of infection control. The majority of radiographers have never had formal infection control training.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

This paper has highlighted the need for a continuing education and training programme for practising radiographers to improve their performance in infection control measures.