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Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) of Sterilization and Disinfection of Health Care Professionals in Bangladesh

Received: 1 November 2023     Accepted: 27 November 2023     Published: 24 May 2024
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Abstract

Background: Healthcare professionals face a constant risk of acquiring infections from patients. Exposure to blood, saliva, and sharp instruments increases their susceptibility to various infectious diseases. Proper sterilization and disinfection procedures are crucial for protecting both healthcare workers and patients. Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding sterilization and disinfection among healthcare professionals in Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from January to June 2023. A total of 81 healthcare professionals were randomly selected and participated in the study after providing verbal consent. Data collection involved a pre-structured questionnaire focusing on knowledge, attitude, and practices related to sterilization and disinfection. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, and results were presented as frequencies and percentages. Ethical clearance was obtained before the study commenced. Results: The study included healthcare professionals from various backgrounds, with the majority being young adults (21-25 years old). Knowledge assessment revealed a good understanding of sterilization methods, disinfection procedures, post-sterilization instrument management, and waste disposal practices. Additionally, most participants were aware of the hospital's sterilization protocols and infection prevention policies. Regarding attitudes, a positive response was observed towards regular training for staff, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and adherence to sterilization and disinfection guidelines. However, a minority expressed concerns about reusing disposable items. Practices reflected the positive knowledge and attitudes, with a high percentage of participants following hand hygiene protocols, using PPE, and opting for disposable equipment. However, a small number reported experiencing needle-stick injuries, highlighting a potential gap between knowledge and practice. Conclusions: the study found that a majority of healthcare professionals in this setting demonstrated good knowledge, positive attitudes, and appropriate practices regarding sterilization and disinfection. However, a small knowledge, attitude, and practice gap was identified, particularly concerning needle-stick injuries. These findings suggest a need for ongoing education and reinforcement of safe practices to ensure optimal infection prevention and control in healthcare facilities.

Published in Science Journal of Public Health (Volume 12, Issue 3)
DOI 10.11648/j.sjph.20241203.12
Page(s) 73-78
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, Sterilization and Disinfection, Health, Care Professionals, Bangladesh

References
[1] Drummond DC, Skidmore AG. Sterilization and disinfection in the physician's office. Can Med Assoc J 1991; 145: 937-943.
[2] Beltrami EM, Williams IT, Shapiro CN, Chamberland ME. Risk and management of blood-borne infections in health care workers. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2000 Jul; 13 (3): 385-407.
[3] Azodo CC, Ehizele AO, Umoh A, Ogbebor G. Preventing HIV transmission in Nigeria: role of dentists. Malays J Med Sci 2010; 17: 10–17.
[4] Prevention of transmission of blood-borne pathogens in the health-care setting, Department of Health and Children, February 1999.
[5] Guidelines on the Control of Cross Infection in Dentistry; the Dental Council 1993 (Amended May 1996).
[6] Guidelines on minisiming the risk of transmission of spongiform encephalopathies in health-care settings in Ireland. National Disease Surveillance Centre, 2004.
[7] Sukhlecha AG, Vaya S, Parmar GG, Chavda KD. Knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding sterilization among health-care staff in a tertiary hospital of western India. Int J Med Sci Public Health 2015; 4: 1377-1382.
[8] Report of the Advisory Group on the Transmission of Infectious Diseases in the Health-Care Setting, Department of Health, January 1997.
[9] Louise M, Low DE, Feinman V et al. Prevalence of blood-borne infective agents among people admitted to a Canadian hospital. Can Med Assoc J. 1992; 146: 1331-4.
[10] Sethi AK, Samal R, Lahiri B, Das A, Kumar G, Behera S. Awareness, attitude and practice regarding disinfection and handling of extracted teeth among the students in a dental college in India. J Int Soc Prevent Communit Dent 2018; 8: 488-94.
[11] Morris E, Hassan FS, Al Nafisi A, Sugathan TN. Infection control knowledge and practices in Kuwait: a survey on oral health care workers. Saudi Dent J 1996; 8: 19-26.
[12] Siddiqui HK, Ikram K, Aftab NH, Uzair F. Knowledge and practice of sterilization among different health care workers. Pak Oral Dental J 2014; 34: 507–9.
[13] Uttley AH, Simpson RA. Audit of bronchoscope disinfection: a survey of procedures in England and Wales and incidents of mycobacterial contamination. J. Hosp. Infect. 1994; 26: 301-8.
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  • APA Style

    Akanda, A. R., Sumon, S. R., Rahman, M. M., Ahamed, M., Sikder, M. R., et al. (2024). Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) of Sterilization and Disinfection of Health Care Professionals in Bangladesh. Science Journal of Public Health, 12(3), 73-78. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20241203.12

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    ACS Style

    Akanda, A. R.; Sumon, S. R.; Rahman, M. M.; Ahamed, M.; Sikder, M. R., et al. Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) of Sterilization and Disinfection of Health Care Professionals in Bangladesh. Sci. J. Public Health 2024, 12(3), 73-78. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.20241203.12

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    AMA Style

    Akanda AR, Sumon SR, Rahman MM, Ahamed M, Sikder MR, et al. Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) of Sterilization and Disinfection of Health Care Professionals in Bangladesh. Sci J Public Health. 2024;12(3):73-78. doi: 10.11648/j.sjph.20241203.12

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  • @article{10.11648/j.sjph.20241203.12,
      author = {Abdur Rab Akanda and Sohel Rana Sumon and Mohammad Motiur Rahman and Marzuk Ahamed and Mohammad Ripon Sikder and Mohammad Salehin Abedin and Mohammad Mojibur Rahman},
      title = {Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) of Sterilization and Disinfection of Health Care Professionals in Bangladesh
    },
      journal = {Science Journal of Public Health},
      volume = {12},
      number = {3},
      pages = {73-78},
      doi = {10.11648/j.sjph.20241203.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20241203.12},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjph.20241203.12},
      abstract = {Background: Healthcare professionals face a constant risk of acquiring infections from patients. Exposure to blood, saliva, and sharp instruments increases their susceptibility to various infectious diseases. Proper sterilization and disinfection procedures are crucial for protecting both healthcare workers and patients. Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding sterilization and disinfection among healthcare professionals in Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from January to June 2023. A total of 81 healthcare professionals were randomly selected and participated in the study after providing verbal consent. Data collection involved a pre-structured questionnaire focusing on knowledge, attitude, and practices related to sterilization and disinfection. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, and results were presented as frequencies and percentages. Ethical clearance was obtained before the study commenced. Results: The study included healthcare professionals from various backgrounds, with the majority being young adults (21-25 years old). Knowledge assessment revealed a good understanding of sterilization methods, disinfection procedures, post-sterilization instrument management, and waste disposal practices. Additionally, most participants were aware of the hospital's sterilization protocols and infection prevention policies. Regarding attitudes, a positive response was observed towards regular training for staff, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and adherence to sterilization and disinfection guidelines. However, a minority expressed concerns about reusing disposable items. Practices reflected the positive knowledge and attitudes, with a high percentage of participants following hand hygiene protocols, using PPE, and opting for disposable equipment. However, a small number reported experiencing needle-stick injuries, highlighting a potential gap between knowledge and practice. Conclusions: the study found that a majority of healthcare professionals in this setting demonstrated good knowledge, positive attitudes, and appropriate practices regarding sterilization and disinfection. However, a small knowledge, attitude, and practice gap was identified, particularly concerning needle-stick injuries. These findings suggest a need for ongoing education and reinforcement of safe practices to ensure optimal infection prevention and control in healthcare facilities.
    },
     year = {2024}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) of Sterilization and Disinfection of Health Care Professionals in Bangladesh
    
    AU  - Abdur Rab Akanda
    AU  - Sohel Rana Sumon
    AU  - Mohammad Motiur Rahman
    AU  - Marzuk Ahamed
    AU  - Mohammad Ripon Sikder
    AU  - Mohammad Salehin Abedin
    AU  - Mohammad Mojibur Rahman
    Y1  - 2024/05/24
    PY  - 2024
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20241203.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.sjph.20241203.12
    T2  - Science Journal of Public Health
    JF  - Science Journal of Public Health
    JO  - Science Journal of Public Health
    SP  - 73
    EP  - 78
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2328-7950
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjph.20241203.12
    AB  - Background: Healthcare professionals face a constant risk of acquiring infections from patients. Exposure to blood, saliva, and sharp instruments increases their susceptibility to various infectious diseases. Proper sterilization and disinfection procedures are crucial for protecting both healthcare workers and patients. Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding sterilization and disinfection among healthcare professionals in Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases & Hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from January to June 2023. A total of 81 healthcare professionals were randomly selected and participated in the study after providing verbal consent. Data collection involved a pre-structured questionnaire focusing on knowledge, attitude, and practices related to sterilization and disinfection. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, and results were presented as frequencies and percentages. Ethical clearance was obtained before the study commenced. Results: The study included healthcare professionals from various backgrounds, with the majority being young adults (21-25 years old). Knowledge assessment revealed a good understanding of sterilization methods, disinfection procedures, post-sterilization instrument management, and waste disposal practices. Additionally, most participants were aware of the hospital's sterilization protocols and infection prevention policies. Regarding attitudes, a positive response was observed towards regular training for staff, proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and adherence to sterilization and disinfection guidelines. However, a minority expressed concerns about reusing disposable items. Practices reflected the positive knowledge and attitudes, with a high percentage of participants following hand hygiene protocols, using PPE, and opting for disposable equipment. However, a small number reported experiencing needle-stick injuries, highlighting a potential gap between knowledge and practice. Conclusions: the study found that a majority of healthcare professionals in this setting demonstrated good knowledge, positive attitudes, and appropriate practices regarding sterilization and disinfection. However, a small knowledge, attitude, and practice gap was identified, particularly concerning needle-stick injuries. These findings suggest a need for ongoing education and reinforcement of safe practices to ensure optimal infection prevention and control in healthcare facilities.
    
    VL  - 12
    IS  - 3
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Department of Public Health and Life Science, University of South Asia, Dhaka, Bangladesh

  • Department of Public Health and Life Science, University of South Asia, Dhaka, Bangladesh

  • Department of Public Health and Life Science, University of South Asia, Dhaka, Bangladesh

  • Department of Public Health and Life Science, University of South Asia, Dhaka, Bangladesh

  • Department of Public Health and Life Science, University of South Asia, Dhaka, Bangladesh

  • Department of Public Health and Life Science, University of South Asia, Dhaka, Bangladesh

  • Department of Public Health and Life Science, University of South Asia, Dhaka, Bangladesh

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