ABSTRACT
Background: COVID-19 has put the lives of our healthcare workers at the forefront of the battle against pandemic. Understanding how this pandemic directly affects them is vital in ensuring safe and continuous provision of service to the public. Reviewing their infection control practices is imperative in protecting their health and the patients they serve. This study aimed to determine the infection control practices of healthcare workers infected with COVID-19 in Tondo Medical Center from March 2020 to May 2021. Methodology: This is descriptive retrospective study involving healthcare workers of Tondo Medical Center infected with COVID-19 from March 2020 to May 2021. Demographic data, exposure history, clinical manifestations and infection control practices data were surveyed, encoded and tabulated. Categorical variables were presented as frequencies and percentages. Results: A total of 425 healthcare workers developed COVID-19 from March 2020 to April 2021. Their mean age was 36.4 years;more female (57.4%) and single (56.0%) staff were affected. Most cases (41.4%) came from or low/lowest risk areas. Three clustering of cases were identified. More than half of the respondents (54.4%) had unknown exposure;housemates/relatives (21.0%) were the most common source of known exposure. Three out of 10 respondents were asymptomatic;majority had mild symptoms (62.2%), the most common of which was the loss of taste/smell (26.5%). Adherence to wearing of mask was highest in the community (99.5%) than in the workplace (93.4%) and least at home (78.3%). Majority practiced social distancing in the community (97.9%) and in the workplace (95.5%). Almost half (58.7%) practiced 1-meter social distancing. Respondents practiced frequent handwashing both at home (92.2%) and in the workplace (91.9%). Only 1-2 out of 10 washed their hands for 40 seconds or more. Majority employed hand hygiene with alcohol-based rub for less than 20 seconds in the workplace (71.6%) and at home (69.5%). Majority (98.3%) performed hand hygiene after coughing or sneezing and used tissue (44.4%). Most of the respondents decontaminated their work area before and after work (66.6%). Alcohol was most used in the workplace (70.7%). More than half (59.6%) ate in the pantry, mostly alone (65.5 %). Most cleaned their cellphones daily (88.4%). Majority brought alcohol with them (97.2%) and almost half (47.5%) wore a mask for 4-8 hours. Conclusion: Some gaps have been identified in the knowledge and practices of infection control of healthcare workers infected with COVID-19 at Tondo Medical Center;hence reinforcement programs including refresher trainings and policy enhancement are warranted.