Factors affecting the level of adherence to Standard Operating Procedures to COVID 19 preventive measures among health care workers in Mayuge District.

Abstract

Introduction In Africa, majority of health care workers have been infected with COVID-19. This high infection rate of COVID-19 may be attributed to low adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs). However, there is limited information about the level of adherence to SOPs and its associated factors. Objective To determine the factors affecting the level of adherence to standard operating procedures to COVID-19 preventative measures among Healthcare workers in Mayuge district to come up with strategic measures of safe guarding the lives of healthcare workers from COVID-19. Methodology A cross-sectional study design that utilized quantitative data collection; Interviewer administered questionnaires where used to collect quantitative data on the level of adherence to SOPs, and observation checklists were also used to collect data from 427 healthcare workers and 37 health facilities respectively in Mayuge district. Data was entered in computerized software EPI DATA and analysis done by STATA 14. Analysis was run for all variables and frequencies and percentages were presented using tables, pie charts, and graphs. Results Majority of the HCWs reported to have knowledge on COVID-19 and the related signs and symptoms of the disease for example; cough 100% (427/427) was the most known followed by fever 99.8% (426/427), and then loss of smell 99.8% (426/427). The majority 96.3% (411/427) of the HCWs agreed that COVID-19 is a serious disease, with 96.0% (410/427) agreeing that they can get infected with the disease. However, most 96.2% (411/427)of the repondents had poor practice where by, Only a few 3.8% (16/427) of respondents practiced frequent hand washing with soap as always recommended and majority, 95.1% (406/427) had not refrained from shaking hands. The overall level of adherence was high. 75% (320/427) of the healthcare workers adhered to all the 5 SOPs of COVID-19 (wearing of mask, covering of mouth when sneezing/coughing, washing hands, disinfecting of surfaces and hands and social distancing), 43% (43/427) adhered to 3 SOPs showing moderate level of adherence and 3% adhered to only 1 SOP indicating poor level of adherence Conclusion. Most of the healthcare workers in Mayuge district have poor practice towards the SOPs of COVID-19 given the fact that they are knowledgable about COVID-19 and have good attitude towards the existing SOPs. Therefore, individual, work-related and health system factors together influence the adherence to SOPs. the obstacles to adherencing of SOPs within HCWs should be considered and ways to address them thought of.