@article{Mustafa_Z-2022_96302, title = {Adherence to infection prevention and control measures among healthcare workers serving in COVID-19 treatment centers in Punjab, Pakistan}, author = {Mustafa, Z. and Majeed, H. and Latif, S. and Salman, M. and Hayat, K. and Mallhi, T. and Khan, Y. and Khan, A. and Abubakar, U. and Sultana, K. and Godman, B.}, month = {sep}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Infection prevention and control (IPC) measures are easily adoptable activities to prevent the spread of infection to patients as well as among health care workers (HCWs). This cross-sectional study evaluated the adherence to IPC measures among HCWs working at COVID-19 treatment centers in Punjab, Pakistan. HCWs were recruited via convenient sampling through Google form® using the World Health Organization risk assessment tool. All data were analyzed using SPSS 20. A total of 414 HCWs completed the survey (response rate=67.8%), and majority of them were males (56.3%). Most of the HCWs were nurses (39.6%) followed by medical doctors (27.3%). Around 53% reported insufficiency of personal protective equipment (PPE), 58.2% didn’t receive IPC training and 40.8% didn’t have functional IPC team at their health facilities. The majority of HCWs (90%) used disposable gloves and N95 facemasks while interacting with COVID-19 patients. Nearly 45% used protective face shields and gowns before providing care to their patients. Hand hygiene practices while touching, and performing any aseptic procedure was adopted by 70.5% and 74.1% of HCWs, respectively. In conclusion, the adherence to IPC measures among Pakistani HCWs working in COVID-19 treatment centers is good despite the limited availability of PPEs. Their practices can be optimized by establishing institutional IPC teams, periodic provision of IPC training and necessary PPE.}, journal = {Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness}, publisher = {Cambridge University Press}, url = {https://publichealthscotland.scot/id/96302}, }