Antiseptics, disinfectants, and hand hygiene products can be contaminated with bacteria and cause healthcare-associated infections, which are underreported from low- and middle-income countries. To better understand the user-related risk factors, we conducted a knowledge, awareness, and practice survey among hospital staff in sub-Saharan Africa. Self-administered questionnaire distributed among healthcare workers in three tertiary care hospitals (Burkina Faso, Benin, Democratic Republic of the Congo). 617 healthcare workers (85.3% (para)medical and 14.7% auxiliary staff) participated. Less than half (45.5%) had been trained in Infection Prevention & Control (IPC), and only 15.7% were trained < 1 year ago. Near two-thirds (64.2%) preferred liquid soap for hand hygiene, versus 33.1% for alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR). Most (58.3%) expressed confidence in the locally available products. Knowledge of product categories, storage conditions and shelf-life was inadequate: eosin was considered as an antiseptic (47.5% of (para)medical staff), the shelf life and storage conditions (non-transparent container) of freshly prepared chlorine 0.5% were known by only 42.6% and 34.8% of participants, respectively. Approximately one-third of participants approved using tap water for preparation of chlorine 0.5% and liquid soap. Most participants (> 80%) disapproved recycling soft-drink bottles as liquid soap containers. Nearly two-thirds (65.0%) declared that bacteria may be resistant to and survive in ABHR, versus 51.0% and 37.4% for povidone iodine and chlorine 0.5%, respectively. Depicted risk practices (n = 4) were ignored by 30 to 40% of participants: they included touching the rim or content of stock containers with compresses or small containers, storing of cotton balls soaked in an antiseptic, and hand-touching the spout of pump dispenser. Filling containers by topping-up was considered good practice by 18.3% of participants. Half (52.1%) of participants acknowledged indefinite reuse of containers. Besides small differences, the findings were similar across the study sites and professional groups. Among IPC-trained staff, proportions recognizing all 4 risk practices were higher compared to non-trained staff (35.9% versus 23.8%, p < 0.0001). The present findings can guide tailored training and IPC implementation at the healthcare facility and national levels, and sensitize stakeholders’ and funders’ interest.

中文翻译：

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撒哈拉以南非洲医护人员与抗菌剂、消毒剂和手卫生产品细菌污染相关的知识、意识和风险实践：对三所三级医院（贝宁、布基纳法索和刚果民主共和国）进行的横断面调查

防腐剂、消毒剂和手部卫生产品可能被细菌污染，并导致医疗保健相关感染，而低收入和中等收入国家对此的报告较少。为了更好地了解与用户相关的风险因素，我们对撒哈拉以南非洲地区的医院工作人员进行了知识、意识和实践调查。在三所三级医院（布基纳法索、贝宁、刚果民主共和国）的医护人员中分发了自填问卷。 617 名医护人员（85.3%（准）医务人员和 14.7% 辅助人员）参与。不到一半 (45.5%) 接受过感染预防和控制 (IPC) 培训，并且只有 15.7% 在 1 年前接受过培训。近三分之二 (64.2%) 的人更喜欢用液体肥皂进行手部卫生，而 33.1% 的人更喜欢酒精类洗手液 (ABHR)。大多数人（58.3%）对当地可用的产品表示有信心。对产品类别、储存条件和保质期的了解不够：伊红被认为是一种防腐剂（47.5% 的（辅助）医务人员），新鲜制备的 0.5% 氯的保质期和储存条件（非透明容器）分别只有 42.6% 和 34.8% 的参与者知道。大约三分之一的参与者同意使用自来水来制备 0.5% 氯和液体肥皂。大多数参与者（> 80%）不赞成回收软饮料瓶作为液体肥皂容器。近三分之二 (65.0%) 的受访者宣称细菌可能对 ABHR 具有抗药性并能在 ABHR 中存活，而对于聚维酮碘和氯 0.5% 的受访者分别为 51.0% 和 37.4%。 30% 至 40% 的参与者忽略了所描述的风险做法 (n = 4)：这些做法包括用敷布或小容器接触库存容器的边缘或内容物、存放浸泡在消毒剂中的棉球以及用手触摸消毒剂的喷嘴。泵分配器。 18.3% 的参与者认为通过加注方式填充容器是良好做法。一半（52.1%）的参与者承认可以无限期地重复使用容器。除了细微的差异外，研究地点和专业群体的研究结果相似。在经过 IPC 培训的员工中，认识到所有 4 种风险做法的比例高于未培训员工（35.9% 与 23.8%，p < 0.0001）。目前的研究结果可以指导医疗机构和国家层面的定制培训和 IPC 实施，并提高利益相关者和资助者的兴趣。