Infection control and hand hygiene (ICHH) practices of Audiolog* service providers in the Western Province of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Introduction: Clinical audiology settings are vulnerable to infection. Therefore, audiology service providers should have adequate knowledge and training for infection control and hand hygiene practices. Objectives: This study aims to investigate knowledge, practices and attitudes towards ICHH practices of Audiology service providers in the Western province of Sri Lanka. Method: A descriptive study was conducted for audiology service providers in the Western province of Sri Lanka using a self-administrative questionnaire in 2021. The main study was conducted after receiving ethical clearance from the ethical review committee of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya. Results: All participants were aware about their clinical setting being exposed to infection. Majority of the participants (93.33%) were aware of at least one ICHH policy, guideline. Less than half of the participant (43.33%) had ICHH training. Most of the participants apply more than one method to clean and disinfect devices which are used for clinical practices. Furthermore, 53.33% of participants used to dispose general and clinical waste separately but all the clinical waste together. Majority of participants have mentioned that it is vital to include ICHH training to audiology education system and having annual infection control training. Conclusions: Knowledge and training for ICHH practices should be increased. A national infection control policy and guideline should be implemented and an annual infection control program should be held in order to assess the progress and to disseminate the knowledge.