Knowledge and practice of universal precautions among health care workers in four national hospitals in Kabul, Afghanistan

  • Said Hafizullah Fayaz Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
  • Michiyo Higuchi Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
  • Tomoya Hirosawa Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
  • Mohammad Abul Bashar Sarker Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
  • Zakhro Djabbarova Guardian Medevac, Kabul, Afghanistan
  • Nobuyuki Hamajima Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.4143
Keywords: universal precautions, health care workers, knowledge, practice, Afghanistan

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of health care workers (HCWs) towards universal precautions (UPs) and to look into any associations between knowledge and practice.

Methodology:A cross-sectional study was undertaken between August and October 2012, involving 300 HCWs from four national public hospitals in Kabul, Afghanistan. A self-administered questionnaire assessing the knowledge and practice of UPs was used.

Results: Among the 300 respondents, the mean knowledge score was 5.2 with a standard deviation (SD) of 1.5. On the practice score, the mean was 8.7 (SD = 2.2). A total of 90.6% and 70.8% of HCWs believed that UPs were necessary in contact with urine/feces and tears, respectively, although UPs are not necessary in these cases. On the other hand, 57.8% reported that they always recapped the needle after giving an injection, and 31.8% did not always change gloves in between patients. There were no associations between the knowledge and self-reported practice of UPs.

Conclusions: The HCWs in Kabul had inadequate knowledge and poor practice of UPs. Training for HCWs is needed to encourage them to adhere to practice based on improved knowledge.

Author Biographies

Said Hafizullah Fayaz, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
Department of Healthcare Administration, Master course student.Public relation department, Ministry of Public Health of Afghanistan, public relation consultant.
Michiyo Higuchi, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
Department of Healthcare Administration, Lecturer
Tomoya Hirosawa, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
Department of Healthcare Administration, Assistant Professor
Mohammad Abul Bashar Sarker, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
Department of Healthcare Administration, PhD student
Zakhro Djabbarova, Guardian Medevac, Kabul, Afghanistan
Pediatric department, Pediatrician
Nobuyuki Hamajima, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
Department of Healthcare Administration, Professor
Published
2014-04-15
How to Cite
1.
Fayaz SH, Higuchi M, Hirosawa T, Sarker MAB, Djabbarova Z, Hamajima N (2014) Knowledge and practice of universal precautions among health care workers in four national hospitals in Kabul, Afghanistan. J Infect Dev Ctries 8:535-542. doi: 10.3855/jidc.4143
Issue
Vol 8 No 04: April 2014
Section
Original Articles

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