Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Infection Prevention Among Healthcare Professionals and Their Predictors at a Tertiary Hospital in Ethiopia: A Cross‐Sectional Study

TL;DR

This study assesses infection prevention knowledge, attitudes, and practices among healthcare workers in Ethiopia, finding that training and resources are key to improving safety.

Contribution

The study identifies specific predictors of effective infection prevention practices among healthcare professionals in a tertiary hospital in Ethiopia.

Findings

72.3% of healthcare professionals had good knowledge of infection prevention.

IPC training and availability of guidelines were strong predictors of safe practices.

Only 57.0% reported safe infection prevention practices despite high knowledge.

Abstract

Assessing healthcare professionals' existing knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding infection prevention and control (IPC) is essential for identifying gaps and informing strategies to mitigate healthcare‐associated infections (HCAIs). Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the IPC KAP of healthcare professionals.

An institution‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted from August to November 2023 among 328 healthcare professionals at Jimma University Medical Center (JUMC). Data were collected using a structured tool.

Overall, 72.3% [95% CI: 67.0%, 77.0%] of participants demonstrated good knowledge, 65.9% [95% CI: 61.0%, 71.0%] had a favorable attitude and 57.0% [95% CI: 52.0%, 62.0%] reported safe IPC practices. The predictors of good knowledge included having IPC training (AOR, 2.31; 95% CI, 1.23, 4.35), availability of IPC guidelines in the department (AOR, 5.87; 95% CI, 2.08, 16.44), and ≥ 10 years of service (AOR, 3.56; 95% CI, 1.28, 9.68). Similarly, having IPC training (AOR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.08, 2.98), and availability of the IPC guidelines (AOR, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.34, 3.42) were the factors that associated with favorable attitude. Safe IPC practices were predicted by IPC training (AOR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.06, 2.89), availability of IPC guidelines (AOR, 2.65; 95% CI, 1.62, 4.36), and availability of water and handwashing facilities (AOR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.24, 3.21).

Despite relatively high level of knowledge and attitude, a considerable proportion of health professions reported unsafe IPC practices. Strengthening IPC training, ensuring guideline availability, and improving infrastructure such as handwashing facilities are crucial to enhance compliance with IPC measures in tertiary care hospitals thereby mitigating HCAIs and AMR.

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