Infection prevention and control knowledge, practices and associated factors among healthcare workers in the neonatal intensive care unit in public hospitals, Sidama Regional State, Ethiopia

Effective infection prevention and control (IPC) practices reduce healthcare associated infections (HAIs) and increase new-born survival rates in resource-constrained settings such as Ethiopia. However, there is a paucity of literature describing the knowledge and practices of healthcare workers (HCWs) regarding IPC, particularly in South Ethiopia. the aim of this study was to determine the levels of IPC knowledge, practices and assess its associated factors within neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), and conduct observational assessments of services availability in South Ethiopia hospitals. we conducted a hospital-based, cross-sectional study in Sidama Regional State, South Ethiopia. A total of 126 HCWs employed in public hospitals with NICU services were included in the study. Data were collected using structured, self-administered questionnaires, complemented by standardized observations of the general hospital setup with the specific focus on the NICU environment. Data were recorded using KoboToolbox and subsequently exported to Stata for statistical processing. Bayesian logistic regression was employed to identify factors associated with IPC practices. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with their 95% credible interval (Cr.I) were calculated to assess these associations, with posterior distributions regarded statistically significant if their Cr.I exclude the null value. The mean knowledge score of HCWs regarding IPC was 63.8% (95% CI: 61.70–66.00). Approximately 61% (95% CI: 52.00–70.00) of HCWs demonstrated good IPC practices. Factors significantly associated with adequate IPC practices included receiving formal training (AOR = 9.45, 95% Cr. I: 1.91–37.31), belonging to the nursing profession (AOR = 7.21, 95% Cr. I: 1.88–20.70), and working in primary-level hospitals (AOR = 4.00, 95% Cr. I: 1.11–10.74). This study found moderate levels of IPC knowledge and practices among healthcare workers in the NICUs. Factors statistically associated with good IPC practices included receiving formal training, being a nurse, and the specific tier of the hospital. To improve these outcomes, tailored training should be provided, specifically targeting physicians and staff in tertiary-level hospitals.