Original Research Article
Year: 2023 | Month: June | Volume: 13 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 183-189
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20230631
Assessment of Quality of Infection Prevention and Control in PHCs of Hyderabad in the Context of COVID 19 - A Mixed Method Analysis Study
Dr Misha Gorantla
Assistant professor, Department of community medicine Osmania medical college
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Quality of infection prevention and control (IPC) followed in PHCs during COVID 19 pandemic has direct impact on its spread. Mental health needs of front line workers cannot be ignored.
Objectives:
To assess the quality of infection control in PHCs
To get an insight into the experience of frontline workers on fighting COVID.
Methods
Design- Cross-sectional mixed method study.
Setting- 15 PHCs around Osmania medical college, Hyderabad.
Data collection- Was done from PHCs using WHO’s ‘Protocol for assessment of potential risk factors for COVID-19 among health workers in a health care setting’.
The qualitative aspect involved 8 in-depth interviews and 4 FGDs in frontline workers.
Results: Total of 14 PHCs had good WASH services. One PHC did not even have tap with running water. None of the PHCs followed WHO recommendations of regular hand hygiene audits, IPC audits, surveillance of nosocomial infections, and triage stations at the entrance.
All frontline workers felt discriminated and overburdened during pandemic.
Conclusion: There is a need to improve IPC practices in PHCs through regular inspections. Psychological domain of front line workers cannot be ignored.
Key words: COVID 19, WASH services, FGD, In depth interview