Effectiveness of Targeted Health Education with Focus on Knowledge and Practice among Hospital Sanitation Workersdesignated in Isolation Wards as Part of the Pandemic Preparedness for COVID-19
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37506/ijphrd.v11i12.13240Keywords:
COVID-19, targeted health education, hospital sanitation workers, pandemicAbstract
Context: Hospital sanitation workers are at the frontlines of the global crisis caused by COVID-19 and face
the challenge of lack of awareness about the disease and methods of protecting themselves and others from
getting infected. A targeted health education intervention was conducted among them on knowledge and
practice regarding basic epidemiology, clinical features and prevention of COVID-19.
Aim: To evaluate effectiveness of targeted health education intervention with focus on knowledge and
practice regarding COVID-19 pandemic among hospital sanitation workers
Settings and Design: Quasi-experimental one group pre test, post test design
Methods and Material: Study was done among 46 hospital sanitation workers using structured questionnaire
covering demographic variables, knowledge on the basic epidemiological characteristics, clinical features
and practice on the prevention of COVID-19. After obtaining informed consent, pre-test was conducted and
a targeted health education was given. On the 3rd day, post-test was conducted using same questionnaire. The
mean pre and post test scores were calculated and difference between the scores was analyzed.
Statistical analysis used: Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25. Demographic information was
tabulated using descriptive statistics. The difference between the mean pre test and post test scores was
analyzed using paired t test.
Results: The mean pre test score was 9.39±1.5, with 35(76%) having good and 11(24%) poor pre test
scores. Those in the age group 36-45 years had significantly higher pre test scores compared to other age
groups (p=0.03). The mean post test score was 10.6±1.13. There was a statistically significant improvement
in the post test scores of the study subjects (p=0.001). Hence, the targeted health education intervention
was effective in improving the knowledge and practice of hospital sanitation workers regarding basic
epidemiology, clinical features and prevention of COVID-19.Conclusions: Given the heightened vulnerability of hospital sanitation workers to nosocomial infections, all
health care institutions should integrate targeted health education intervention into their epidemic response
plan