A Cross-Sectional Survey of Doctors in Nigeria Regarding Local Infection Prevention and Control Procedures for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Dabota Yvonne Buowari, Nana Emeribe, Vivian Ifeoma Ogbonna, Evonemo Susan Esievoadje, Chioma Odimegwu, Ogechukwu Mary-Anne Isokariari, Mary Oluwakemisola Agoyi, Omoadoni D Emeagui, Aminat Oluwabokola Jimoh
Author Information
Dabota Yvonne Buowari: Department of Accident and Emergency, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Nana Emeribe: Department of Community Medicine, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Vivian Ifeoma Ogbonna: Department of Community Medicine, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Evonemo Susan Esievoadje: Department of Family Medicine, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria.
Chioma Odimegwu: Department of Paediatrics, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Enugu State.
Ogechukwu Mary-Anne Isokariari: Department of Community Medicine, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
Mary Oluwakemisola Agoyi: Safer Hands Health Initiative, Association of Medical Students of University of Lagos Secretariat, Room 3, College Library Alley, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos. Nigeria.
Omoadoni D Emeagui: Department of Paediatrics, Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria.
Aminat Oluwabokola Jimoh: Department of Surgery, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Kaduna State.
Background: Worldwide COVID-19-related mortalities have included healthcare workers in the frontline caring for COVID-19 infected patients. This necessitates the practice of infection prevention and control procedures to protect health professionals from contracting the virus at the workplace. We investigated the knowledge and practice of doctors working in Nigeria regarding infection prevention and control procedures in the workplace. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study of doctors and dentists working in Nigeria using a semi-structured self-administered questionnaire adapted from the World Health Organization "Perception of health workers regarding local infection prevention and control procedures for the Coronavirus Disease 2019" tool. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results: 302 doctors participated in this survey. Most were female 195 (64.6%); 80.50% provided direct care to patients; 267 (88.4%) worked in hospitals with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 while 179 (59.3) directly cared for patients with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection. 137 (70.6%) had close contact with confirmed cases of COVID-19. Hand hygiene and gloves were the most common procedure/material available for the prevention of infections for the respondents in the healthcare settings, followed by other types of medical facemasks, N95 respirator masks, eye protection like goggles and disposable aprons. Conclusion: In 2020, during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors in Nigeria were knowledgeable about infection prevention procedures but do not have access to personal protective equipment.
