Compliance to infection prevention and control guidelines among health care workers at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital Zanzibar

Nosocomial infections ,commonly known as hospital acquired infections (HAI) include several pathogens like Escherichia coli, Hepatitis viruses, HIV, Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus etc. These agents are transmitted directly or indirectly. Prevention and control of Nosocomial infections is the most important approach in all hospitals and other health care settings. Infection prevention and control (IPC) of HAIs is determined by knowledge, practice and level of commitment invested by health care organizations to bring the hospital acquired infections under control. Though hospitals in developed countries acquire very few HAIs but in developing countries HAI has been attaining much attention because it was found that up to 5%–10% of patients admitted for acute care are suffering from HAI. A descriptive cross-section study was designed to determine the level of compliance towards IPC guidelines among 186 health care workers at Mnazi Mmoja Hospital Zanzibar (MMHZ) .It was found that compliance to IPC in MMHZ was inadequate. Of 185 respondents, a considerable proportion 83 (44.8%) indicated lack of regular standard procedures. Although 166 (89.7%) strongly agreed that IPC is beneficial, surprisingly 73 (39.4%) reported to wash their hands only after the procedure and not otherwise. Moreover 55 (30%) reported on inadequate segregation containers, justifying unsatisfactory health care wastes segregation, thereby causing indirect /direct community exposure to hazardous substances. It was recommended that Hospital Management Team in MMHZ must establish IPC Committees to monitor, and evaluate the compliance with the guidelines ensuring that IPC is prioritized by all health staff . Interventions of standard precautions, such as hand hygiene, provision of personal protective equipments, and safe disposal of infectious material must also be adequately addressed. In-service education programs on IPC should be arranged for all categories of staff aiming at imparting basic theoretical concepts on key components of selected interventions of standard precautions.KEY WORDS: Health care workers, Nosocomial infections ,Standard Precaution, Infection Prevention and Control, hospita