Knowledge on Infection Prevention and Control and associated factors among undergraduate health professional students at Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Uganda

Abstract

Introduction To practice adequate Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures, health professional students need to have adequate knowledge of IPC. In this study, we assessed the knowledge of health professional students at Makerere University College of Health Sciences on Infection Prevention and Control. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional online survey among health professional students studying at Makerere University College of Health Sciences located in Kampala, Uganda. An adapted questionnaire was used to measure knowledge on Infection Prevention and Control among students. Results A total of 202 health professional students were included in the study. The mean age was 24.43 years. Majority were male 63.37% (n = 128), from the school of medicine 70.79% (n = 143) and used one source of information for IPC 49.50% (n = 100). Being in year three (Adjusted coefficient, 6.08; 95% CI, 2.04–10.13; p-value = 0.003), year four (Adjusted coefficient, 10.87; 95% CI, 6.91–14.84; p < 0.001) and year five (Adjusted coefficient, 8.61; 95% CI, 4.45–12.78; p < 0.001) were associated with a higher mean in total percentage score of knowledge on IPC compared to being in year one. Conclusion IPC knowledge was good among health professional students in Makerere University although more emphasis is needed to improve on their IPC knowledge in various sections like hand hygiene. Infection Prevention and Control courses can be taught to these students starting from their first year of university education.

Knowledge, attitude, and practices toward infection prevention and control among undergraduate pharmacy students in Zambia: findings and implications

“…Good knowledge of IPC measures among pharmacy students in Zambia mirrors findings from India, 32 Saudi Arabia, 17 Malaysia, 33 South Africa, 18 and Uganda, 31 where most students had good knowledge of IPC practices. Good knowledge could be due to the knowledge students acquire during their training, potentially enhanced by the recommendations regarding IPC measures for all populations during the COVID-19 pandemic by the WHO.…”

“…We collected the data using a structured questionnaire which was adapted from a previous study. 31 The data collection tool had four sections. These included Section A, which had questions on the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants; Section B, which had questions on the knowledge of participants on IPC; Section C, which had questions on the attitudes of participants toward IPC; and Section D, which had questions on the practices of participants toward IPC.…”

Evaluation and associated factors of public health emergency management among medical college students in a city in Southwest China: a cross-sectional study

“…However, few studies have offered specific suggestions for public health emergency management in medical colleges and universities in China [ 19 ]. Students are the direct beneficiaries of public health emergency management systems in colleges and universities, and medical students have relevant professional theoretical knowledge and practical skills; therefore, they have professional advantages in dealing with public health emergencies [ 20 ]. Assessing the degree of satisfaction among medical students regarding emergency management in colleges and universities can facilitate the exploration of strategies to optimize public health emergency management in educational institutes.…”

Factors associated with compliance with Infection Prevention and Control measures during the COVID-19 pandemic among healthcare workers in Kampala City, Uganda

“…As the COVID-19 pandemic evolved, assessing the level of IPC compliance in different healthcare facilities in Kampala City became of great importance. While previous assessments focused on evaluating IPC compliance in COVID-19 treatment centers in Regional Referral facilities and various hospitals [25][26][27][28], there was limited knowledge concerning the extent of IPC compliance in other levels under the health care system, particularly in Kampala City, which was the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak in Uganda. For HCWs who were having a unique experience, the extent to which they followed the IPC guidelines for their safety remained an area of interest.…”