Compliance and perception towards COVID-19 preventive protocols among hospital staff in a tertiary health facility, Southwest Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Background: The COVID-19 outbreak response in Nigeria was challenged by the existing weak health sector and the frontline health workers for COVID-19 pandemic response are exposed to the pathogen. One militating factor undermining the control and prevention of COVID-19 in Nigeria was poor compliance to preventive measures. This study assessed the compliance with COVID-19 prevention protocols among healthcare workers in Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria. Methods: A cross sectional study and subjects were selected through a multi-stage sampling technique. Data collection was done using interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire over a period of five months (JuneOctober, 2021). Data was analyzed using IBM, Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27.0 and p value was set at <0.05 as the threshold for statistical significance. Results: Majority (60.1%), of the respondents got information on COVID-19 protocols through seminars and workshops. However, more than a quarter (28.8%) of the respondents said the use of available PPE was suboptimal. More than one-third, (35.8%), of respondents believe the protocols are too strict. There is, however, good perception (93.3%), but relatively lower compliance (58.7%) of COVID-19 protocols among the staff. Age, marital status and sex were associated with compliance towards COVID-19 protocols in this study (P<0.05). Identified significant predictors (p<0.05) of compliance include age (AOR=1.944), female sex (AOR=7.829). Conclusion: Most respondents had good knowledge of availability, perception of effectiveness, but relatively lower compliance with the COVID-19 protocols in this facility. The government or hospital authority make sure that necessary steps to further boost compliance are taken