KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AMONG HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS OF TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: Personal protective equipment (PPE) is meant to keep health care workers safe at work from dangerous infections and injuries. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is clothing that you wear to protect yourself from germs. This barrier reduces the chances of pathogens being touched and spread. In the hospital, personal protective equipment (PPE) helps to prevent the transmission of germs. This can help to keep people and health-care workers safe from infection. PPE give a physical hindrance among microorganisms and health care providers.it offered assurance by keeping microorganisms from polluting hands, eye, dress, hairs and shoes. Objective: To access the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of personal protection equipment among health care providers in tertiary care hospital. Methodology:A descriptive cross sectional study in which doctors, nurses and allied health professional included. To access health care providers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices about personal protection equipment in a tertiary hospital. Non-medical staff working in hospital are exclude in this study. The data was analyzed by SPSS version 23. Result: This study included 250 health care worker participate, in which doctors, nurses and allied health professional and they were a knowledge about personal protective equipment and they know how to use PPEs. Health care workers used all necessary PPEs such as (gloves, gown, mask, face shield, head cover and shoe cover) during work. In which 91 health care workers Always (100% of the time) used of all necessary PPEs during work, 114 health care workers Frequently (75% - Less than 100% of the time) used of all necessary PPEs during work, 45 health care worker (50% - Less than 75% of the time) used of all necessary PPEs during work. Some Inhibiting factors that inhibit the health care workers to used PPE is 50 Forgetfulness, 25 Disturb working, 199 Uncomfortable to wear, 1 Unavailability. Health care workers take training about PPEs and hospital had a policy on PPE. Conclusion: The study concluded that health care workers inclusive of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals had knowledge about personal protective equipment and they know how to use PPEs. Health care workers use all necessary PPEs such as (gloves, gown, mask, face shield, head cover and shoe cover) while working. Most of the health care workers always use all necessary PPEs, Majority of the health care workers frequently used all necessary PPEs, Whereas, very few health care workers sometimes use all necessary PPEs. Factors inhibiting the health care workers from using PPE were in majority cases uneasiness in wearing, forgetfulness, disturbed working and unavailability. Health care workers were trained about PPEs as hospital had a policy about the PPEs.