Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) is a significant threat to patient safety, and prevention is a vital focus for healthcare institutions seeking to increase care quality. In Ethiopia, there is limited availability of data on magnitude and factors associated with infection prevention practices (IPPs). To identify the magnitude and factors associated with infection prevention practices among healthcare professionals. A multi-healthcare facility-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among healthcare personnel from June 5 to October 20, 2022, in the Sidama region of Hawassa city in comprehensive referrals at general and primary hospitals. The 680 study participants were chosen through simple random sampling techniques. A structured and pretested data collection tool was employed. The data were analyzed with SPSS version 27. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage and continuous variables (mean, standard deviation (SD) were calculated. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were subsequently applied to assess the factors associated with infection prevention practices(IPPs). Overall, 642 participants were included, for a response rate of 94.4%. Only 44.4% (95% CI: 40.5, 48.3) exhibited good infection prevention practices. In the multivariable analysis, being aged 40 years or older (AOR = 3.5; 95%CI:1.7,6.9, p = 0.001), having 6–10 years of work experience (AOR = 2.0; 95%CI:1.4,3.2, p = 0.0001), receiving infection prevention training (AOR = 1.9; 95%CI:1.4, 2.7,p = 0.000), having regular supervision of infection prevention activities (AOR = 5.8; 95%CI:3.2,10.6,p = 0.000), and having access to national infection prevention guidelines (AOR = 2.0, 95%CI;1.3, 3.1,P = 0.001) were statistically significantly associated with infection prevention practices. This study revealed a low proportion (44.4%) of infection prevention practices in the study area. Age, work experience, receiving infection prevention training, regular supervision of infection prevention activities, and access to national infection prevention guidelines were factors associated with IPPs. These findings underscore the need for regular standardized training and access to updated guidelines; regular supervision, experience and expertise are needed to enhance IPPs.
Alemu et al. (Tue,) studied this question.