Abstract:

Background: Individuals working in healthcare settings occasionally are at risk of infections as a result of exposure to certain diseases causing agents. However, in most developing countries attention on prevention is mainly focused on skilled healthcare workers (HCWs) with “neglect” of auxiliary health workers (AHWs) who may not be knowledgeable on job health hazard and carries high risk of exposure to infectious agents.

Objective: To assess knowledge of auxiliary healthcare workers on injection safety and biological waste handling as well as attitude towards post exposure prophylaxis in the event of any exposure.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among AHWs on knowledge on injection safety and biological waste handling in June 2016. Participants included ward orderlies (WOs), lab attendants (LAs), compound laborers (CLs), theater attendants (TAs) and laundry personnel (LPs) randomly selected. A semi structured questionnaire administered to consented respondents. Data was presented as descriptive analysis and percentage compared using Chi-square test with significant level 0.05 at 95% Confidence interval.

Results: A total of 68 auxiliary healthcare workers consisting of male 44.1% (n=30) and female 55.9% (n=38) were interviewed. Respondent’s mean ± (SD) age was 31± 5.30 years and ranged from 27- 55 years. Knowledge on injection safety and biological waste handling among AHWs showed (WOs) 42/68 (61.7%), (LAs) 5/68 (7.4%), (CLs) 9/68 (13.2%), (TAs) 5/68 (7.4%) and (LWs) 7/68 (10.3%). A significant difference in knowledge on injection safety and biological waste handling among AHWs was observed. (X²= 1.56, df 4, critical value 9.488 at 95% confidence level.

Conclusion: There is low level of knowledge on needle stick injury (NSI), biological waste handling and poor attitude towards PEP among auxiliary healthcare workers in GH Wukari and GH Zing.

Keywords: Knowledge, Auxiliary, Biological, Injection, Waste, Safety

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