Assessment of Infection Control Practices Among Healthcare Providers at Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria

Healthcare acquired infections (HCAIs) otherwise called nosocomial infection is associated with increased morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients and predisposes healthcare providers (HCPs) to an increased risk of infections.  The study assessed the current infection knowledge and extent of practices of infection control among healthcare providers at Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Ondo State. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design. A proportional stratified random sampling was adopted to select 221 respondents. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire modified by the researcher using adapted questionnaire. The face and content validity of the instrument were ensured through the help of experts in the field of nursing. The instrument was subjected to a pilot testing among thirty (30) healthcare providers outside the sampled area. After subjecting the collated data to Cronbach alpha, the reliability value for Section B was 0.80 and Section C was 0.77. Data were collected, coded and analysed using statistical package for social sciences. Findings from the study showed that majority of the healthcare providers had moderate level of knowledge on infection control practices and good level of infection control practices were adhered to. The study also revealed that there was significant relationship between knowledge of infection control and practices (P< 0.05) and significant difference in infection control practices among different healthcare providers (P < 0.05). In conclusion, majority of the healthcare providers had moderate knowledge and good practice on infection control measure in FMC, Owo. It was recommended that hospitals should compel all health care providers and trained them on compulsory practice of infection control

Keywords: Assessment, Infection Control, Practices, Healthcare Providers,