ABSTRACT
Background:Healthcare workers have a higher risk of SARS CoV2 infection with implications for transmission of infection and the safety of workers and patients. Objective: To assess knowledge on COVID-19 and the safety practices among selected healthcare workers in southwest Nigeria. Methods:A cross-sectional study of 210 workers providing direct care to patients during the COVID-19 pandemic was conducted. Respondents wererecruited through simple random sampling of members of online platforms of healthcare workers in Osun, Ondo and Ekiti States. Information on sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of PPE and safety practices was obtained through a close-ended questionnaire. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 36.5±7.5 years. About 29% and 30% of respondents were from the State and Federal Government-owned Teaching Hospitals, respectively. A little above half (58.1%) had good knowledge of COVID-19, while 62.1%used PPE always when attending to suspected COVID19 cases. More than half (53.8%) had been trained on infection prevention and control (IPC), but only 34.3% adhered to good safety practices. Healthcare workers in State government-owned teaching hospitals had lower odds of good safety practices than those in Federal Teaching Hospitals (OR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.19-0.93, p = 0.031).Conclusion: The knowledge of appropriate PPE and practice of safety precautions among healthcare workers is sub-optimal. This may predispose to increased COVID-19 transmission among healthcare workers, patients, and their families. Training and retraining healthcare workers, especially those from hospitals identified by the study as having poor safety practices, should be encouraged.
Subject(s)
Knowledge , Disease Prevention , Personal Protective Equipment , COVID-19 , Equipment SafetyABSTRACT
But : Evaluer le programme d'assurance qualite applique dans le service Radiotherapie de l'Hopital General de Yaounde. Materiels et methodes : Nous nous sommes proposes de mener une etude retrospective; transversale et qualitative du programme d'assurance qualite applique pendant une periode de 25 annees dans notre service. Toutes les donnees en rapport avec le circuit du malade; le plateau technique; la simulation; la dosimetrie et le traitement des patients ont ete recherchees grace a une analyse des differents comptes rendus des document medicaux des patients; puis relevees a l'aide d'une fiche technique preetablie et testee.Resultats : Aucun indicateur d'assurance qualite n'a atteint le score normatif ideal de 100%; l'indicateur lie aux ressources humaines notamment specialisees detient le score le plus bas de 42.10%. les indicateurs en rapport avec les equipements; les tests de controle qualite des equipements; l'organisation des locaux; le circuit des malades et la documentation technique arrivent avec un temps de conformite aux normes de 66%; 70%; 81%; 87% et 90% dans cet ordre. Conclusion : Notre programme d'assurance qualite a ete globalement satisfaisant jusqu'en avril 2012; date a laquelle des insuffisances aux plans des ressources humaines et surtout des equipements susceptibles de le compromettre se sont progressivement installees et identifiees a l'occasion de la presente etude
Subject(s)
Equipment Safety , Hospitals, General , Quality Assurance, Health Care , RadiotherapyABSTRACT
Background: Health hazards are associated with exposure to ionizing radiations such as x-rays. Many private x-ray diagnostic clinics in Lagos State operate with inadequate safety and protection devices; which make the conditions unsafe to patient and environment. Objective: To assess the working conditions; protection measures put in place; safety awareness and attitudes of both employees and employers to safety and protection in radiodiagnostic centers in Surulere and Ikeja Local Government Areas.Methodology: Questionnaires were used for collecting information on socio-demographic data; occupational history; activities; working conditions; knowledge and experience of radiation hazards in x-ray centers. Interviews were conducted with Heads of Departments and Radiologists using the checklist adapted from the International Atomic Energy AgencyResults: 88.9 of the participating centers had adequate space and some safety assessment performed prior to installation of the facility. 81.5 had few basic protection devices. Only 40.7employed adequate and qualified staff while 25.9 provided personnel training and 22.2 had quality control programme. 14.8 had radiation protection programme. 60.2of respondents were aware of health hazards associated with radiation exposures; 57.8 of which were males. Conclusion : Operation conditions in most private diagnostic centers are below standard due to grossly inadequate provision of safety and protection devices. Employment of qualified staff and continuous education need be emphasized and enforced