Knowledge, attitude and behavior of public and private hospital cleaning employees in Gaziantep region about nosocomial infections and prevention

Increased life expectancy, patients' opportunity to benefit from modern treatment options, increased number of invasive interventions and extensive use of critical surgical interventions increases the importance of nosocomial infections around the world as well as in our country. This study aimed to reveal the knowledge, attitude and behavior of hospital cleaning employees in relation to nosocomial infections and protection methods. One public hospital among 5 public hospitals and, 3 private hospitals among 14 private hospitals were selected in Gaziantep city center by using simple random sampling method. Of the employees, 335 answered the questionnaire (n=383) (87.5%). Data were collected from a group describable as young group, where participants with age above 45 comprised only 11.0% of all participants (p=0.001). It was found that participants employed at private hospitals had higher level of education (p=0.006). When investigating the education about nosocomial infections and prevention, it was found that 92.8% of public hospital employees and 88.6% of private hospital employees received in-service training (p=0.126). In addition, 84.6% of public hospital employees and 71.4% of private hospital employees were found to receive orientation training upon the beginning of their employment (p=0.003). Participants from both hospital types indicated not being aware and possessing limited knowledge about nosocomial infections (p=0.246). Of the employees, 55% were vaccinated against Hepatitis B. Among the employees who had not received 3 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine, 74% were infected by Hepatitis B. Employees of public hospitals were more likely to perceive their knowledge insufficient about nosocomial infections (p=0.001). As a result; it is found that knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of cleaning employees were not at desired levels, despite high rates of trainings both in public and private hospitals. Therefore, trainings should be regular and continuous, and be repeated with different training techniques. Frequent in-service supervisions should be conducted and deficiencies should be eliminated in practice.