Health Care Workers Adherence to Infection Prevention Practices and Control Measures: A Case of a Level Four District Hospital in Kenya

Abstract

Infection prevention practices and control are critical activities that influence the quality of health care services. This study was conducted to determine the health workers adherence to infection prevention and control policies and procedures at a Level 4 Hospital in Kenya. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design were used. The objectives of the study were to: -Identify existing infection prevention and control policy guidelines at the level four hospital; -Evaluate the implementation of infection prevention and control measures; 3) Identify the barriers to compliance with infection prevention practices and control measures. Data was collected by questionnaire, record review and a focus group discussion. Quantitative data was analyzed by the statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) while information from focus group was analyzed thematically. The results revealed that Health Care Workers (HCWs) had good knowledge on infection prevention practices and control. There were written infection prevention practices and control (IPPC) policy guidelines and high awareness (98.7%) of the IPPC policy guidelines. The record review showed that there was approximately 6.7% nosocomial infections rate among hospitalized patients. Barriers to IPPC compliance among the health care workers (HCWs) included frequent shortage of water, inadequate updates on IPPC through continuing professional education and inactive IPPC committee. The study concluded that there was adequate compliance with IPPC, though there were challenges to implementation that needed to be addressed. The study was done in October 2010 to January 2011