Awareness and monitoring of infection control practices among healthcare workers in three primary health centers in India.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the awareness of and adherence to infection control practices among healthcare workers (HCWs) in three primary healthcare centers (PHCs) near Aurangabad City, Maharashtra, India.

Method: A prospective observational study over six months involved 64 HCWs from three PHCs (A, B, and C). Questionnaires and observation checklists based on guidelines from the WHO and the Systems for Improved Access to Pharmaceuticals and Services (SIAPS) were used to evaluate infection control practices across nine modules. These modules encompass health facility information, employee health, cleaning practices, hand hygiene, waste management, isolation and standard precautions, childbirth/obstetrics, sterilization, and preparation/administration of parenteral medications.

Results: The study revealed varying levels of adherence to infection control practices among the three PHCs. PHC-A demonstrated strong practices with an overall score of 66%, while PHC-B and PHC-C exhibited weaker practices with 40% and 38%, respectively. Hand hygiene practices showed higher compliance at PHC-A (78%), contrasting with lower compliance observed at PHC-B (39%) and PHC-C (33%). The study also noted deficiencies in hand hygiene facilities and inconsistencies in injection administration and waste disposal practices.

Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of ongoing training and targeted interventions to enhance infection control practices among HCWs in PHCs. The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and administrators seeking to improve infection prevention measures in primary healthcare settings, contributing to better healthcare outcomes and enhanced patient safety.