ASSESSMENT AND COMPARISON OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF AWARENESS ABOUT PREVENTION AGAINST HEALTHCARE-ASSOCIATED INFECTIONS (HCAIS) AMONG SENIOR MEDICAL AND NURSING STUDENTS OF SHALAMAR INSTITUTE OF HEALTH SCIENCES (SIHS), LAHORE
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Keywords
Healthcare-associated infections, Prevention, Hand hygiene, Shalamar Institute of Health Sciences
Abstract
Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are one of the common health problems encountered by patients during hospital stay or after discharge from hospital. They also render health care staff at risk of acquiring HCAIs as an occupational hazard. They are associated with increased mortality and morbidity, despite advancement in healthcare system.
Objective: This study was conducted to assess and compare the knowledge, attitude and practice of medical and nursing students of SIHS regarding awareness about prevention against HCAIs.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 270 students. The convenient sampling technique was adopted to collect data through printed questionnaire. The data collected was entered and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 20.
Results: 169 (59.6%) females and 109 (40.4%) males participated in our study. The age range of participants was 20 to 26 years. All participants had heard about HCAIs. Majority of the participants (61.1%) identified respiratory tract infection as the most common encountered HCAIs. 49.6% students mentioned hand washing as the single most effective method to prevent HCAIs. 71.9% participants use disposable face mask and hand gloves while examining the patients. 57.03% students are vaccinated against Hepatitis B. Hand washing technique was well known to 81.5% students.
Conclusion: The knowledge and practice level of the participants is average but still not adequate, demanding further improvements. The topic of HCAIs should be addressed to enhance awareness among undergraduate students as well as practicing staff to establish hygienic environment in hospitals.
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Muntaqa Butt
Post-Graduate Resident (PGR) Internal Medicine, Shalamar Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
Muhammad Waleed Amjad
Medical Officer, National Hospital and Medical Centre Lahore, Pakistan
Hina Awan
Post-Graduate Resident (PGR) Internal Medicine, Shalamar Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
Saadia Kanwal
Medical Officer, Shalamar Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
Sami Ullah
House Officer, Shalamar Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
Yasir Bilal
House Officer, Shalamar Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan