Knowledge and skills of health care workers on utilization of personal protective equipment in Juba Teaching Hospital. A cross-sectional study.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64792/qhhfc855Keywords:
Personal Protective Equipment, PPE utilization, Healthcare Workers, Knowledge and Skills, PPE Utilization, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), Juba Teaching HospitalAbstract
Background:
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is an essential component of infection prevention and control, protecting healthcare workers (HCWs) and patients from healthcare-associated infections. This study assessed the relationship between knowledge and skills and the utilization of PPE among healthcare workers at Juba Teaching Hospital (JTH), South Sudan.
Methods:
A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 106 HCWs at JTH, representing a 71% response rate from the target population of 149. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire measuring knowledge & skills, and self-reported PPE utilization on 5-point Likert scales. Qualitative data from key informant interviews and documentary review triangulated findings. Pearson correlations and multiple regression analyses were performed to determine relationships and predictors of PPE utilization.
Results:
The respondents comprised 54% males. Most participants were aged 25–40 years (89%), while 33% had 2–4 years of work experience. The highest-rated knowledge item was that PPE should be used when there is a risk of exposure to body fluids (Mean = 4.79 ± 0.93), whereas uncertainty regarding PPE effectiveness as a barrier to infection (Mean = 2.89 ± 1.54) indicated important knowledge gaps. Knowledge and skills showed a significant moderate positive relationship with PPE utilization (r = 0.421, p < 0.001). Simple linear regression further revealed that knowledge and skills significantly predicted PPE utilization (β = 0.421, p < 0.001), explaining 16.9% of the variation in PPE utilization.
Conclusion:
Healthcare workers at JTH possessed moderate knowledge of PPE; however, misconceptions regarding PPE effectiveness and inconsistent safe practices limited optimal utilization.
Recommendations:
Juba Teaching Hospital should institute regular competency-based PPE training, strengthen continuous professional education on infection prevention, and ensure uninterrupted availability of quality PPE.
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