Infection Prevention and Control Measures for COVID-19 among Medical Staff in Nineveh Governorate, Iraq

Abstract

Background:
 COVID-19 is a global pandemic that was first reported in Iraq on 24th February 2020, while it appeared in Nineveh on March 22nd, 2020. Infection prevention and control (IPC) is so important to minimize the risk of spreading infections.
 
 Objectives:
 To assess the adherence to IPC measures among medical staff working in Nineveh governorate during COVID-19 pandemic.
 
 Methods:
 A cross sectional study, using an online survey sent to different medical staff in Nineveh. The questionnaire was composed of two parts, the first included demographic information, and the second covered IPC measures. Survey was completed by medical staff witnessed COVID-19 pandemic in Nineveh governorate.
 
 Results:
 The total sample was 412, of whom, 316 (77%) were males and 142 (35%) were physicians. Overall, the percentage of staff following different IPC measures was ranging from 31 % in wearing head cover, to 97% in keeping clean hands constantly. Main missed points were found in respiratory hygiene, physical distancing and self-isolation. Females were more likely to apply bandages to wounds and wearing gloves before examining patients. Compared to other medical staff, physicians were less compliant to washing hands, putting waste in designated places and wearing protective cloths. Those who work in hospitals were better compliant with sterilizing hands before entering home.
 
 Conclusion:
 The adherence to IPC measures was ranging from less than one-half in wearing sterile head cover, to nearly all respondents in keeping clean hands. There is a great need to provide support as well as training in regards to IPC in Nineveh governorate city.

Nursing Staff Practices Regarding Infection Control Measures at Raparin Teaching Hospital for Children in Erbil City

“…This agrees with the results of the study by Kassim et al, in which 24%, 75%, and 1% of participants were single, married, and divorced/widowed, respectively. Most of the nurses living in urban areas showed fair performance (81%) [16]. Accounting for economic status of the participated nurses, the results of the current study revealed that 17.3% of the nurses were from low economic level.…”

“…Kassim and colleagues conducted a cross-sectional study using an online survey sent to other medical staff in Nineveh to assess the adherence of healthcare professionals and nurses to IPC measures in Iraq. Healthcare professionals and nurses in Iraq have supposedly adhered to IPC measures [16]. However, the results showed that the percentage of healthcare providers and physicians following various IPC measures was ranged from 31% (wearing personal protective equipment) to 97% (washing and cleaning hands constantly).…”

Preventive Measures of Respiratory Diseases and Impact on Employee Morbidity - Possibilities of Using Electronic Platforms

“…Five included studies were cross-sectional, two retrospective and one experimental, interventional. The common theme of all included studies was to evaluate and assess preventive measures, adherence to the measures, and their effectiveness (17,18,23,24,25,26,27,28). Furthermore, three of the selected studies also focused on evaluating the effectiveness of using E/E platforms (17,18,26).…”

“…Social distance, respiratory protection, and careful hand hygiene disinfection were cited as the most common preventive measures (23,25,27). These mandated precautions were also the most frequently violated (25). At the same time, vaccination was cited as being essential in the prevention measures (28).…”