Practices of Covid-19 Safety Measures among Health Workers in Edo State, Nigeria

This study examined the practices of COVID-19 safety measures among health workers in Edo State, Nigeria. It also investigated whether differences existed in safety practices based on sex, age, work experience and educational qualification. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised 3,223 health workers from Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, University of Benin Teaching Hospital and Central Hospital, Benin City. A sample of 1,617 health workers was selected using a stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected using a researcher-developed structured questionnaire. The instrument was divided into sections covering the demographic characteristics of respondents and their practices of COVID-19 safety measures. The reliability of the instrument was assessed through a pilot study using the split-half method. Data collected were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), Version 26. Frequency counts, percentages and mean scores were used to answer the research questions, while the independent samples t-test was used to test the hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance. The findings indicated that hand hygiene, physical safety measures and vaccine-related safety practices were poorly observed by some health workers. The study also found significant differences in safety practices based on sex, age, work experience and educational qualification. Female, older, more experienced and better-educated health workers generally demonstrated better safety practices. The study concluded that demographic and professional characteristics may influence the practice of COVID-19 safety measures among health workers. It therefore recommended regular training, adequate provision of personal protective equipment, improved supervision and continuous health education to strengthen infection prevention and control practices in healthcare facilities.

Keywords: COVID-19, Safety Measures, Health Workers, Hand Hygiene.