Standard precautions perception and practice among health workers in the obstetrics-gynecology department of a referral hospital in Cameroon

Abstract

Background: In the context of Cameroon, where maternal and neonatal mortality remain a serious concern, unsystematic compliance with standard precautions increases the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and other medical hazards. The present investigation aimed at assessing the baseline understanding of hand hygiene principles and perceptions, experience of occupational exposure to body fluids, and preventive vaccination coverage among HCWs in the obstetrics-gynecology ward of a referral hospital in Yaoundé. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the obstetrics-gynecology department of the health facility from April to July 2024. A self-administered questionnaire, adapted from the WHO Knowledge Questionnaire for Health Care Workers, was used to collect data from consenting HCWs. Results: A total of 41 healthcare workers participated in the study. Participants were predominantly female (78%) and ranged in age from 20 to 57 years. Overall staff knowledge of hand hygiene was average, with a median score of 60%. The majority of respondents considered hand hygiene an essential part of their care (90%). A significant proportion of paramedical staff (82%) agreed they had been properly trained on hand hygiene during their training (p = 0.006). More than half of respondents (59%) experienced an accidental exposure to body fluids in the previous 12 months. A high level of education was a significant factor associated with occurrence of occupational exposure to blood and other body fluids (aOR = 14.2; p = 0.044). The coverage of fully vaccinated HCWs was 27% for hepatitis B, 19% for COVID-19, and 0% for cholera. Factors associated with low adherence to vaccination included having received no training in ICP interventions (aOR = 7.4; p = 0.046) for hepatitis B vaccination and having completed tertiary education (aOR = 43.6; p = 0.043) for COVID-19. Half of the HCWs exposed (12/24 = 50%) to blood and body fluids were not fully vaccinated against hepatitis B. Conclusions: This study revealed gaps in knowledge of hand hygiene, high occupational exposure to biological fluids, and low vaccination coverage. Health facility managers and national health authorities must therefore commit to implementing specific strategies to increase staff training in standard precautions and promote vaccination.