KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES RELATED TO THE USE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT IN MANAGEMENT OF COVID 19 PATIENTS, AMONG HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN BASE HOSPITAL HOMAGAMA, SRI LANKA-Dr. Janitha Hettiarachchi

ABSTRACT 

Introduction 

COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a massive impact on global health, economy and social  networking denoting the most widespread pandemic during the recent past. Public health and  social measures are the cornerstone of controlling the pandemic. Among the preventive measures, proper use of personal protective equipment is crucial for health workers to prevent transmission  and to assure safety and sustainability of health services.  

Objectives 

To assess knowledge, attitudes and practices related to the use of personal protective equipment in  managing COVID-19 patients, among health care workers in Base Hospital Homagama. 

Methods 

A cross-sectional study was conducted at Base Hospital Homagama. 

A sample of 317 health care workers were recruited using stratified random sampling, including  doctors (n=106) nursing officers (n=105) and health assistants. (n=106) 

A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices among  health care workers related to the use of personal protective equipment in management of COVID 19 infected patients. Statistical data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social  Sciences (SPSS) 21 software. A scoring system was developed based on the responses of the  questionnaire and mean score was calculated in each category to measure knowledge, attitudes and  practices. A score of more than mean score was considered satisfactory and score less than mean  score considered as unsatisfactory.

Results 

Out of 317 study participants, 305 health care workers responded to the questionnaire with a  response rate of 96.2%. Majority 181 (55.0%) were in 25-45 age group, females 186 (61.9%), had  a degree/diploma 137 (43.2%), had a work experience of more than10 years 172 (54.3%) and  employed in COVID unit 241 (76.0%). 

Majority 261(82.4%) showed unsatisfactory overall knowledge and poor knowledge on areas of  types of PPE 259 (85.3%), level of protection 297 (93.9%). Work experience and unit employed was associated with all three aspects knowledge, practices and attitudes while occupation,  educational level was associated with knowledge and attitudes. Gender was associated with level  of knowledge. The study population had good overall practices 200 (63.0%) and good overall  attitude 262 (82.6%).  

Conclusion and recommendations 

The study revealed unsatisfactory knowledge, good practices and positive attitudes among health  care workers in base hospital Homagama on use of PPE in management of COVID 19 infected  patients. There was a deficit of knowledge observed in areas of types and level of protection by  PPE.  

Planning and organization of training programs for raising knowledge with special focus on deficit  areas is suggested. Sustainable efforts to monitor and maintain good practices and attitudes is  recommended to respond effectively in similar future epidemics. 

Keywords: personal protective equipment, health care workers, knowledge, attitudes, practices