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Knowledge And Perception Of Nosocomial Infection Among Health Workers And Resident
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Furthermore, a study that examined fulfillment with
hand-hygiene practices among medical staff showed that the frequency of
healthcare workers’ hand-hygiene was greatly influenced by role models
(Lankford et aI., 2001). In this observational study, the researcher
noted that healthcare workers were less corn plaint with hand hygiene
protocols when high ranking person such as physician or nurse did not
carry out hand hygiene practices. This observation implied that the
effect of role model is significant in negatively influencing healthcare
workers’ compliance with recommended guidelines.
Another theory with tenets applicable to this area of study is the Theory of Reasoned Action /
Theory
of Planned Behavior (TRArrPB) developed by social psychologists Ajzen
and Fishbein in 1967. This theory explains how attitude and motivation
influences human behavior. The theory proposes that “intent’ is the most
important determinant of a person’s “behaviorâ€; and furthermore, that
an individual’s intention to perform a behavior is dependent upon the
“attitude†toward the performance of the behavior. The theory also
contends that behavioral beliefs and normative beliefs influence the
individual’s motivation to comply with show of a certain behavior.
According
to Ajzen (1991), behavioral beliefs link the behavior to an expected
outcome while normative beliefs are considered as the perceived
behavioral expectations of individuals within a group. Altogether these
referents lead to actual behavior beliefs control and may drive the
individual’s intention to perform the behavior (Ajzen, 2006). Another
assumption of the TRAlTPB theory is that human beings are rational: they
make systematic use of information available to them and consider the
implications of their actions before they decide to engage or not engage
in certain behaviors. They (human beings) have normative beliefs which
arise from perceived behavioral expectations of individuals such as
co-workers; for example, nurses. Therefore, the stronger a person’s
intention to perform a particular task (behavior) is, the more likely
the person will perform the behavior (Ajzen, 2006). In the context of
this study, it is possible to think that health workers could be
influenced by colleagues or friends and peers at the work settings. What
is unclear is whether they are influenced in a positive or negative
way. Additionally, it is possible to speculate that the health care
workers would be influenced by cognitive factors such as decrement in
knowledge. Any decrement in knowledge might lead to healthcare workers’
non- compliance with recommended guidelines and protocols while
performing patient-care activities. What is also unclear from the
literature is whether there is a decline in the knowledge and skills
gained during their course of study or whether these workers become
non-compliant over time due to modeling after other noncompliant
colleagues during their performance of patient care activities. This
non-compliance would lead to the spread of nosocomial infections.
1.6 Implications of the Study
The
findings in this study suggest that the strong educational standards,
set in place, should be continued and enforced. Furthermore, monitoring
of adherence to and compliance with established guidelines set by the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by healthcare workers
should be sustained. Additionally, the fundamental role of healthcare
institutions to provide support in the form of adequate staffing and
equipment should be intensified.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
As
with many research projects, this study has several limitations. Even
though some of the advantages of online surveys are the instantaneous
data collection and savings, in both time and money, the approach may
lead to many limitations. One of the primary limitations is the
generalizability of the results to all heath workers. Cook and Campbell
(1979) pointed out that people tend to report what they believe the
researcher expects to read or report what reflects positively on their
own abilities, knowledge, beliefs or opinions (Cook &Campbell,
1979). The questionnaire used in this study was constructed from
emergent themes in the reviewed literature and established guidelines
set by a task force committee on Infection Control Practices Advisory
Committee. The knowledge and skills items related to information the
respondents ought to have mastered during their academic joumey, or
reinforced through work related experiences and continuing education.
The items might not have been broad enough to capture all pertinent
concepts related to reduction of the spread of nosocomial infections.
1.8 Scope of the Study
For
the purpose of this study, the research work will be out in Edo State
in Sixty three health care facilities, including all tertiary and
secondary care facilities and selected Primary Health Centres and
Private Clinics were sampled from 8 Local Government Areas from the
three senatorial districts in Edo State. Three pre-tested tools were
adapted to the local setting and used to interview key informants in the
health facilities and to observe for practices and records relating to
infection control and past experiences of puerperal sepsis. These
included four LGAs in Edo South (Egor, Oredo, Ovia north-east and
Ikpoba-okha), three in Edo Central (Esan Central, Esan North and Esan
South-west), and one in Edo north (Etsako).
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]Hospital acquired infections (HAIs) continue to be a threat to hospital admissions and workers thus contributing to mortalities and morbidities. Sophistication and type of services given by health facilities may determine health worker’s attitude towards combating these infections. The objective of this study is to compare knowledge, attitude and practice of HAIs among health workers at the three levels of health care in Nigeria, particularly the primary level that has to do with the resi ... Continue reading---
