Knowledge, attitude and practice concerning healthcare-associated infections among healthcare workers in Wuhan, China: cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectivesTo assess the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) concerning healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) among healthcare givers and to identify the factors influencing KAP.DesignThis was a hospital-based, cross-sectional study.SettingTwo public hospitals in Wuhan, central China.ParticipantsParticipants were recruited among healthcare workers (HCWs) of one general hospital and one children’s hospital in Wuhan city between 1 June and 30 September 2019.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe outcomes were KAPs concerning HAIs.ResultsData from 455 HCWs were included in the final data analysis. The mean scores of KAP and total KAP were 15.67±3.32, 25.00±2.75, 43.44±5.15 and 84.76±6.72, respectively. The following factors were significantly associated with the total KAP score concerning HAIs, explaining 61% of the variance (p<0.001): gender (β=2.36, 95% CI 1.11 to 4.40), age (β=6.65, 95% CI 5.07 to 7.74), position (β=7.02, 95% CI 3.88 to 8.45), type of employment (β=−1.08, 95% CI −2.08 to −0.07), with HAI education within last year (β=−2.98, 95% CI −4.23 to −1.72), with invasive operation authority (β=−4.22, 95% CI −5.46 to −2.99), antibacterial drug training (β=−4.38, 95% CI −5.45 to −3.31) and with antibacterial drug training and clinical consultation (β=−4.35, 95% CI −5.38 to −3.32).ConclusionThe controllable factors identified in this study can be used by hospital managers to implement measures that improve KAP among HCWs. Moreover, these measures should be customised, based on uncontrollable factors to suit the specific characteristics of medical staff and to improve KAP. Training programmes should be designed for medical workers to increase their awareness of HAIs and to foster positive attitudes and practices.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Standard Infection Control Precautions among Health-Care Workers in a University Hospital in Qassim, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Survey

“…The contaminated hands of health-care workers (HCWs) and health-care equipment have been identified as the primary sources of HAIs [6,10]. The pathogens of HAIs are commonly transmitted from one patient to another when HCWs do not perform hand hygiene properly following caring for one patient and contacting another patient [11]. The incidence of HAIs varies in different types of clinical departments.…”

“…While narrating the KAP theory, Kelman argued that knowledge is essential to change practice and a positive attitude is a key instigator to bring change [22,23]. Therefore, assessment of KAP among the HCWs is crucial to explore the reasons for noncompliance and identify the measures that should be undertaken to improve infection control practice and prevent HAIs [11]. Our literature search revealed a few studies reporting the KAP of hand hygiene and infection control measures in the KSA.…”

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Standard Infection Control Precautions among Health-care Workers in a Hospital in Qassim, Saudi Arabia: a Cross-sectional Survey

“…The contaminated hands of health-care workers (HCWs) and healthcare equipments have been identified as the primary sources of HAIs [7,11]. The pathogens of HAIs are commonly transmitted from one patient to another when HCWs do not perform hand hygine properly following caring for one patient and contacting another patient [12]. The incidence of HAIs varies in different types of clinical departments.…”

“…While narrating the KAP theory, Kelman argued that knowledge is essential to change practice and a positive attitude is a key instigator to bring a change [23,24]. Therefore, assessment of KAP among the HCWs is crucial to explore the reasons for non-compliance and identify the measures that should be undertaken to improve infection control practice and prevent HAIs [12]. Our literature search revealed a few studies reporting the KAP of hand hygiene and infection control mesures in the KSA.…”

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of healthcare workers towards healthcare- associated infections in Jimma University Medical Center, southwestern Ethiopia: using structural equation model

“…Knowledge is the origin of varying practices, and attitude is the powerful force of change (Jiang et al, 2017). Thus understanding the KAP of HCWs concerning HCAIs is critical in establishing HCAI prevention measures (Wu et al, 2021). This study assessed the effect of KAP on HCAIs among HCWs using latent variables.…”