Assessment Of Infection Prevention Practices And Its Associated Factors Among Health Care Professionals At Federal Hospitals In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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