A study to evaluate awareness regarding the use of disinfectants and its significance amongst healthcare workers in a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Background:Hospital acquired infection has been a plague that torments the hospital community, prolonging the number of days patients are hospitalized and often complicates the patient’s treatment. Disinfectants are crucial in preventing hospital acquired infections (HAI) and its apropriate use requires adequate awareness and knowledge of various types of disinfectants.

Aims and objectives: The objective of the present study is to evaluate awareness, knowledge, practice and attitude towards the use of disinfectants amongst health care workers.

Methodology: Total 150 participants were included in our study from two different groups. 100 participants from nursing staff and 50 participants from housekeeping staff were included. This questionnaire based cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital.

Results: Total 150 participants, 100 from nursing and 50 from housekeeping staff in the age group of 18–60 years were included. Majority 59(39.3%) belonged to the age group of 18–30 years with 56 (37.3%) men and 94 (62.7%) women. 47(31.3%) has experience of < 1 year, 38(25.3%) has experience of 1-5 years, 42(28%) has experience of 6-10 years and 23(15.3%) has the experience of >10 years. Highest awareness (78.2%) and knowledge, practice and attitude positive response (82.6%) was found in participants with experience of more than 10 years (P – value <0.05).

Conclusion: Our study concluded that awareness, knowledge, practice and attitude of health-care staff in relation to sterilization and disinfection methods needs to be improved, especially in newly joined staff. Periodic training is needed to improve, sup¬plement, and update knowledge about sterilization and disinfection.