Kigozi Edwin, Kamoga Livingstone, Ssewante Nelson, Banadda Patrick, Atai Faith, Kabiri Lydia, Mbalinda Scovia Nalugo
Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
Infect Prev Pract. 2024 Jun 11;6(3):100376. doi: 10.1016/j.infpip.2024.100376. eCollection 2024 Sep.
While most infection prevention and control (IPC) studies focus on healthcare professionals, IPC is everyone's responsibility in any healthcare facility. There is little known about the IPC knowledge among the cleaners who are responsible for housekeeping, environmental cleaning, and waste management within hospitals. This study sought to evaluate the knowledge and practice of IPC among cleaners at Mulago National Referral Hospital (MNRH) to establish a foundation for empowering a strategic workforce that will improve IPC practices within the hospital.
A cross-sectional study was conducted among the cleaners in a national referral hospital in Uganda. The participants were purposively sampled, and data was collected using a web-based, interviewer-administered, questionnaire about IPC knowledge and practices.
Of the 120 cleaners recruited, 52.5% were female. Good IPC knowledge was demonstrated in 58.3%, and 30.8% reported good IPC practices. Participants with at least 5 years' work experience had higher knowledge levels (aOR: 10.3, =0.006, 95% CI: 2-54). Those closely supervised had lower IPC knowledge compared with those with less supervision. Participants with fixed work schedules (aOR: 0.2, =0.028, 95%CI: 0-0.8), were less likely to exhibit good IPC practices. In addition, 63.1% were knowledgeable about waste segregation, recognising bin colours and the correct disposal of sharps and needles. Despite good compliance with personal protective equipment, poor hand-washing practices were reported. A positive correlation between knowledge and practice scores was established.
Hospital cleaners in a national referral hospital in Uganda IPC reported poor infection prevention practices despite good knowledge. For IPC knowledge and practice to correlate positively, ongoing practical training is vital to maintain knowledge and good practice to establish a successful IPC program.
虽然大多数感染预防与控制（IPC）研究都聚焦于医护人员，但在任何医疗机构中，IPC都是每个人的责任。对于负责医院内务管理、环境清洁和废物管理的清洁人员的IPC知识，人们了解甚少。本研究旨在评估穆拉戈国家转诊医院（MNRH）清洁人员的IPC知识与实践，为培养一支能够改善医院内IPC实践的战略 workforce 奠定基础。
在乌干达一家国家转诊医院的清洁人员中开展了一项横断面研究。参与者采用目的抽样法选取，通过基于网络的、由访谈员管理的关于IPC知识与实践的问卷收集数据。
在招募的120名清洁人员中，52.5%为女性。58.3%的人展示出良好的IPC知识，且30.8%的人报告有良好的IPC实践。工作经验至少5年的参与者知识水平更高（调整后比值比：10.3，P = 0.006，95%置信区间：2 - 54）。与受监督较少的人相比，受密切监督的人IPC知识较低。工作时间表固定的参与者（调整后比值比：0.2，P = 0.028，95%置信区间：0 - 0.8）展示良好IPC实践的可能性较小。此外，63.1%的人了解废物分类，能识别垃圾桶颜色以及正确处理锐器和针头。尽管对个人防护装备的依从性良好，但报告显示洗手习惯较差。知识得分与实践得分之间建立了正相关关系。
乌干达一家国家转诊医院的医院清洁人员报告称，尽管知识掌握良好，但感染预防实践较差。为使IPC知识与实践呈正相关，持续的实践培训对于维持知识和良好实践以建立成功的IPC项目至关重要。
