Knowledge of standard precautions and barriers to compliance among healthcare workers in the Lower Manya Krobo District, Ghana

Abstract

BackgroundImplementing standard precautions (SP) has been a major challenge for health care workers (HCWs) especially those in developing countries thereby compromising their safety and increasing their exposure to blood-related pathogens. Compliance with safety precautions and occupational accidents among health workers are often unreported. The literature on knowledge and compliance to SP in Ghana is scanty. We report findings of a study that examined knowledge of SP, compliance and barriers to compliance with SP among HCWs in two health facilities in Ghana.MethodsThis is a facility-based cross-sectional study involving 100 HCWs from two health facilities in the Lower Manya Krobo District of the Eastern region. Statistical analysis summarised data on socio-demographic characteristics of respondents, knowledge of SP and compliance and barriers to SP in frequencies and percentages.ResultsMost respondents had been working as health staff for 0–5 years (65.0%). Generally, knowledge of the basic concepts of SP was low; only 37.0% of HCWs knew that SP includes hand washing before and after any direct contact with the patient, 39.0% knew about cough etiquettes and 40.0% knew about aseptic techniques which involve infection prevention strategies to minimise the risks of infection. Fifty percent of respondents always protect themselves against BBFs of patients. About a quarter of the respondents do not recap needles after use and 28.0% of respondents sometimes promptly wipe all blood spills. HCWs were of the opinion that wearing PPEs—such as gloves, aprons, gowns and goggles—might cause patients to panic sometimes (63.0%) and complying with SP sometimes interferes with the ability to provide care (38.0%). Sometimes, because of the demands of patient care, HCWs do not have enough time to comply with the rigours of SP (44.0%) and sometimes PPEs are not available.ConclusionEducation programmes on the benefits of SP should be organised frequently. The OHS national policy together with the application of the IPC training manual in all health care facilities must be enforced. Communities of practice should be established and sanctions and rewards should be introduced to limit negative behavior and reinforce positive attitudes as regards SP.

Knowledge and Compliance with Standard Precautions amongst Healthcare Workers in Selected Hospitals in Rivers State, Nigeria

“…This is in agreement with Zhang et al [12] who opined that HCWs lack knowledge about blood borne pathogens (BBPs) transmission and SPs in China. Also HCWs was reported to have low level of knowledge of SPs in Ghana [10]. HCWs are not continually informed on SPs principles, insufficiencies or lack of knowledge and practice of SPs [13][14][15].…”

“…39.0% of the HCWs recognized cough protocols and only 40.0% knew about sanitary procedures which comprise infection preventive approaches to curb the dangers of exposure to infection. Fifty percent of the HCWs continually protect themselves against blood and body fluids (BBFs) of patients, 25% do not recap needles after usage and 28.0% do not always wipe blood spills on time [10]. Sixty-three percent of HCWs opined that using PPEs such as aprons, gloves, gowns and goggles, might cause patients to fright occasionally and adhering to SPs sometimes obstructs the ability to offer care (38.0%).…”

Hambatan Perawat Dalam Pelaksanaan Standard Precautions Di Instalasi Gawat Darurat Rsud Sumedang

“…Lack of supervision from nurses who are more experienced in work can cause injury in the implementation of injection practices (Gershon et al, 2007). This is supported by research conducted by Akagbo et al, (2017) which shows that only 17% of respondents use eye protection, 34% reuse needles that have been used and always report the incidence of needle stick injuries. The incidence of needle syringe often causes major injury due to work and exposure to harmful bacteria and infections among health workers.…”

“…The same barriers were found in many studies. Most of the respondents (74%) reported the absence or insufficiency of tools such as masks, gloves, and protective goggles to be the main barriers to compliance in implementing precautions (Akagbo et al, 2017). One study in Malaysia reported that 44% of nurses stated that gloves were not available especially in emergency situations (Naing et al, 2001).…”

“…Support and supervision are expected to make the reporting and supervision system more coordinated so that transmission, needle injury, and any activities that cause non-compliance with standard precautions are recorded and reported. All health workers must be careful of implementing precautions and ensure that their colleagues adhere to the implementation of standard precautions, without compromise (Akagbo et al, 2017).…”