AWARENESS AND APPLICATION OF HOSPITAL INFECTION CONTROL MEASURES AMONG HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS IN THE HOSPITALS OF AN URBAN AREA IN EL- MINIA GOVERNORATE.

Background: Infection control principles in healthcare are becoming of great importance nowadays all over the world, while there is a lack of practice and a shortage of knowledge about it of some healthcare professionals. Our study aims to understand the infection control knowledge, attitudes, and practices among healthcare professionals of 4 different hospitals in an urban area in EL- Minia governorate in relation to the process of health care. The aim of the study: To estimate the current basic knowledge and application of infection control measures by healthcare professionals in the hospitals of an urban area in EL- Minia governorate. Methods:a self-administered structured questionnaire about knowledge of infection control procedures were completed by 200 medical staff recruited from 4 different hospitals in Mallawy district which is an urban area in EL- Minia governorate Results: In our study, there were 200 responses from doctors and nurses comprising junior doctors, consultants, and staff nurses in 4 hospitals in Mallawy district EL- Minia governorate. The median overall percent knowledge and practice scores were 70% and 65%, respectively. Nurses were more knowledgeable of the fact that hand hygiene is the most effective method to prevent healthcare-acquired infection (P = 0.001). The majority agreed that avoiding recapping needles, use of barrier precaution and hand hygiene effectively prevent HCAI. Results of logistic regression analysis indicated that knowledge of infection control was greater among respondents stationed in surgical wards (odds ratio = 3.414 [1.822? 6.395]) compared to those in medical wards. There was no statistically significant difference in both knowledge and practice between male and female respondent, nurses and doctors or those with years of working experience of ≥10 years and ≤10.Conclusion and recommendations: The study indicates that the 4 hospitals in Mallawy district have no infection control Committee. Gaps have been identified in the knowledge and practice of infection control measures among doctors and nurses. This highlights the need for continued refresher training and measures to induce implementation of infection control in the hospital. According to the high rate of hospital-acquired infection, it becomes vital to adopt strict measures of infection control in hospitals. Regular training courses for infection control measures are recommended for medical staff.