ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF HEALTH CARE WORKERS ON INFECTION PREVENTION IN HEALTH INSTITUTION IN LUCKNOW, INDIA

Abhay Srivastava*, Virendra Singh, Dheeraj Singh, Pratap Shankar, Sachin Tutu, Preet Lakhani, Amod Kumar, R. K. Dixit

ABSTRACT

Background: Nosocomial infections also known as health care-associated and hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) , are infections which results from treatment in a hospital or a healthcare service unit, but secondary to the patient's original condition. Any breach in infection control practices can lead to transmission of infection from patients to health care workers, other patients and attendants. Proper knowledge and practice can reduce the incidence of HAIs significantly. Aim and objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of health care workers on infection prevention in health institution in Lucknow, India. Material and methods: A cross-sectional observational study conducted among 5 hospitals of Lucknow city. Total of 360 healthcare workers were enrolled in the study. Data was assessed on the basis of a standard questionnaire. Result: Majority of the respondent knew about diseases transmitted by sharp injury and body fluid. 96.7 % HCWs have the knowledge of hand hygiene. 95 % had knowledge about personal protective equipments. But despite having good knowledge about HAIs and methods to prevent them, practice of these safety measures were found relatively low. Conclusion: HAIs can be prevented to a much greater extent if the knowledge about the preventing methods are applied more stringently.

Keywords: HAIs (Hospital acquired infections), hand hygiene, needle prick, HBV, HIV, knowledge, practice.