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June 13, 2026Open Access

Compliance with infection prevention and control practices and associated factors among healthcare workers in Tanzania: Experience from a secondary level-referral hospital

Key Points

The study aimed to evaluate compliance levels with infection prevention and control practices among healthcare workers and identify associated factors.
Conducted a hospital-based cross-sectional study with 195 healthcare workers from July 24 to August 23, 2025.
Used questionnaires and observation checklists to gather data on compliance levels and associated factors.
Analyzed data using bivariate and multivariate modified Poisson regression models.
Overall compliance with IPC practices was 68.9%, with only 39.0% demonstrating high compliance (<80%).
Significant factors associated with compliance included doctor profession (APR: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.19, 0.57) and motivation at workplace (APR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.02, 2.02).
Availability of IPC supplies was high for hand hygiene and personal protective equipment but low for water (44.4%) and soap (55.6%) in latrines.

Abstract

Introduction Compliance with Infection Prevention and Control practices remains a key challenge, affecting the safety of both patients and healthcare workers. Poor compliance raises the risk of Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Objective This study aimed to assess compliance levels and factors associated with infection prevention and control practices among HCWs at Katavi Referral Regional Hospital (KRRH) in Tanzania. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 195 healthcare workers from July 24 to August 23, 2025. Questionnaires and observation checklists were used to collect sociodemographic data, compliance levels, individual-level factors, hospital-level factors, and the availability of IPC supplies. A validated Compliance with Standard Precautions Scale (CSPS) tool, developed by the WHO, was used to measure compliance levels. Data were analysed in STATA (version 15.0), using bivariate and multivariate modified Poisson regression models. Adjusted Prevalence Ratio (APR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was used to assess factors associated with IPC compliance. Results The study revealed that the overall compliance with IPC practices among healthcare workers was 68.9%. Only 39.0% of HCWs demonstrated high overall compliance with IPC practices (80%). Also, factors significantly associated with compliance with IPC practices were doctor profession (APR: 0.32;95% CI:0.19,0.57), blood/body fluid exposure (APR: 1.55;95% CI:1.095,2.19), motivation at workplace (APR: 1.43;95% CI:1.02,2.02), supportive supervision (APR: 1.92;95% CI:1.09,3.38), and presence of IPC committee (APR: 1.61;95% CI:1.07,2.40). The most common available IPC supplies were hand hygiene items, personal protective equipment, and waste management items (100%). However, some IPC supplies were unavailable, including water (44.4%) and soap (55.6%) in latrines. Conclusion Overall compliance with IPC practices among HCWs remained suboptimal. Improving compliance requires strengthening IPC governance through functional IPC committees, enhancing supportive supervision and motivation, and addressing persistent infrastructural and resource gaps within health facilities.

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