Knowledge of Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) among Medical Students in a Tertiary Hospital in Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria

Background: Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) remain a common cause of death, functional disability, emotional suffering and economic burden among hospitalized patients. Knowledge of HAIs is important in its prevention and control. This study seeks to assess the knowledge of Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) among medical students in a Tertiary Hospital in Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study done in October 2019 among clinical medical students using a Multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire and analyzed using the IBM SPSS 20 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). Ethical approval was granted by Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Ethics Committee, Jos, Plateau State. Results: A total of 219 students in the clinical arm of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences were selected. A higher proportion (97.7%) of respondents knew about Hospital Acquired Infections and 85.4% knew that Hospital Acquired infections occur in the hospital, and (86.3%) considered patients contagious with half (58.9%) considered patients as the most important source of HAIs, followed by care givers (13.2%), then doctors including medical students and interns (10.0%) and lastly nurses (8.7%). The majority of respondents (70.8%) considered Surgical Wound Infections to be the most commonly occurring HAI, followed by UTIs (69.9%), RTIs (61.2%), BSIs (37.0%) and others (0.9%). The clinical thermometer was the instrument that most commonly transmits HAIs (82.6%), then followed by stethoscope (62.1%), white coats (53.9%), and blood pressure cuff (51.1%). Most respondents knew the infectious substances, like blood (96.3%), nasal discharge (82.6%), saliva (85.3%), and faeces (79.4%) transmitted HAIs, 72.6% of the respondents said that they were aware of the recommended hand washing techniques by WHO. Conclusion: The majority of students 91.3% had good knowledge while 8.7% had poor knowledge of HAIs. Lower classes had more respondents with poor knowledge. This finding was statistically significant (p = 0.002, Chi-square 12.819). Students are encouraged to keep up the level of knowledge they have about HAIs. These students can help improve the knowledge of those whose knowledge level is low. Government and NGOs should support sponsorship for capacity-building events targeted at HAIs for healthcare workers and medical students.

Hospital Acquired Infections in Low and Middle Income Countries: Root Cause Analysis and the Development of Infection Control Practices in Bangladesh

Nosocomial or hospital acquired infections are a major challenge for low and middle income countries (LMICs) which have limited healthcare resources. Risk factors include the lack of appropriate hospital facilities such as isolation units, bed space, and sinks;inadequate waste management, contaminated equipment, inappropriate use of antibiotics and transmission of infection from the hands of healthcare workers and family caretakers due to inadequate hand washing. Nosocomial infections increase the costs of healthcare due to added antimicrobial treatment and prolonged hospitalization. Since the prevalence of nosocomial infections is generally higher in developing countries with limited resources, the socio-economic burden is even more severe in these countries. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the risks of hospital acquired infections and summarizes current recommendations for the development of hospital infrastructure and the institution of protocols to reduce these infections in LMICs such as Bangladesh.

Nosocomial infections:Epidemiology,prevention,control and surveillance

Nosocomial infections or healthcare associated infections occur in patients under medical care.These infections occur worldwide both in developed and developing countries.Nosocomial infections accounts for 7% in developed and 10% in developing countries.As these infections occur during hospital stay,they cause prolonged stay,disability,and economic burden.Frequently prevalent infections include central line-associated bloodstream infections,catheter-associated urinary tract infections,surgical site infections and ventilator-associated pneumonia.Nosocomial pathogens include bacteria,viruses and fungal parasites.According to WHO estimates,approximately 15% of all hospitalized patients suffer from these infections.During hospitalization,patient is exposed to pathogens through different sources environment,healthcare staff,and other infected patients.Transmission of these infections should be restricted for prevention.Hospital waste serves as potential source of pathogens and about 20%–25% of hospital waste is termed as hazardous.Nosocomial infections can be controlled by practicing infection control programs,keep check on antimicrobial use and its resistance,adopting antibiotic control policy.Efficient surveillance system can play its part at national and international level.Efforts are required by all stakeholders to prevent and control nosocomial infections.

Infection Control Measures among Healthcare Workers: Knowledge, Attitude and Practice

Background: Nosocomial infections are some of public health problems globally and continue to be increased regardless of the hospital’s efforts on infection control measures and are contributing significantly to morbidity, mortality and cost. The absence of infection control policies, guidelines and trained professionals also contributes to the magnitude of the problem. The aim of this study was to assess the Knowledge, attitude and practices towards infection control measures among healthcare workers at Old Mutare Hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was used to acquire information. A purposive sampling method was used to select 22 nurses, 15 nurse Aids and 2 laboratory technicians (Lab Tech). A self-administered questionnaire with four components addressing demographic data, knowledge, attitudes and practices was used to collect data that was completed by a checklist. Results: The study findings revealed a poor knowledge of infection control measures among the nurse’s aide. The attitude and practices among participants were impartially good in all variables. The participants had scored over 50% towards their attitude and their practices on infection control. A significant statistical difference was found between the professional status of the participants and the ability to explain how one can get Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs) and awareness of infection control programs in their hospital (rs = 0.640, 0.645) with P < 0.05 (0.01, 0.01) respectively. Conclusion: Despite of having a fair attitude and practice towards infection control, the participants had presented poor knowledge;therefore, it had been recommended that in service training and workshop should be planned by the administration to update their knowledge and attain full compliance towards their practice.