Abstract:
Background: Infection prevention plays a key role in preventing and reducing the rate of
healthcare associated infection. Healthcare-associated infections are a major global public health
agenda. Health care workers are front line of protecting themselves and clients from infection.
Evidence regarding infection prevention practice is not well stated in Ethiopia specifically study
supported with observational study.
Objective: To assess infection prevention practices, and its associated factors among health care
professionals working in Federal Hospitals, Addis Ababa city, Ethiopia, 2023.
Methods: Institutional based cross-sectional study design was employed at St Peter Specialized
hospital and St Paul‟s Hospital Millennium Medical College with sample size of 404 from April
26, 2023 to May 30, 2023. Simple random sampling method was used to select study
participants. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Data were coded and
entered into Epi-info version 7.2, and then exported to SPSS version 27.0 for further analysis.
Descriptive statistics such as Frequency distribution and measure of central tendency and
variability were computed to describe the major variables Bivariable and multivariable analysis
was computed to determine the association between the outcome variables and the independent
variables using logistic regression model. Variables with P-value less than 0.25 was fitted into
multiple logistic regression and finally the variables which had independent association with
practice of standard precautions was identified on the basis of adjusted odds ratio (AOR), with
95% CI and p-value less than 0.05 considered statistically significant on the final model.
Results: A total of 404 health care professionals were participated in this study, making a
response rate of 100%. The respondents' mean age (SD) was 29.9 (SD ± 4.28). The magnitude
of safe infection prevention practice among health care professionals in Addis Ababa federal
hospitals was 54.5% (95% CI: 49.5,59.7). This study showed that having 5-10 years work
experience (AOR=37.6, 95% CI (16.1, 87.9), good knowledge status of health care professionals
(AOR=11.6, 95% CI (4.6, 29.5), and health workers whose monthly income < 7500 birr
(AOR=2.67, 95% CI (1.12, 6.42) were significantly associated with safe infection prevention
practice.
Conclusions: This study revealed that the overall level of safe infection prevention practice
among healthcare workers was relatively low. Working experience, knowledge status and
monthly income were significantly associated factors of safe infection prevention practice with
p-value less than 0.05. Adequate pre-service as well as on job training for health care workers
should be given to get more practical work experience
