Publication:

Knowledge of disinfection and personal protective equipment usage amongst health care workers in the COVID-19 scenario

Background Sudden amplification of COVID-19 from pneumonia of unknown etiology to a pandemic has led to overwhelming demand for healthcare resources. Among the critical components of infection and prevention control (IPC) in hospital settings is the mandatory use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by health care workers (HCWs). This study aimed to assess the knowledge of the HCW’s in the usage of appropriate disinfection procedures and PPE usage in each scenario as per MoHFW guidelines.

Methods The study was a questionnaire-based cross-sectional study conducted in a COVID-19 hospital for one month from May 2020 to June 2020. The questionnaire was based on the MoHFW guidelines on disinfection and PPE usage and was pre-validated.

Results Of the 146 HCWs who had responded, 50.7% were directly involved in patient care as frontline health care workers (FHCW), and the rest of 49.3% were non-frontline health care workers (NFHCW). 76.7% underwent training on PPE usage, 98 (67%) had training in disinfection procedures and PPE use. The knowledge of the HCWs, irrespective of them being frontline or non-frontline healthcare workers was lacking in certain areas.

Conclusions As we understand more about the disease, more and more treatment protocols are developed, but the prevention of infection in HCWs depends on appropriate PPE usage and disinfection procedures.