WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Firdous Jahan*, Maryann Radiance, Muhammad A. Siddiqui, Shima Abdul Jabar Abdallah Al Khuri

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Microorganisms carried by the airborne route can be widely dispersed by air currents and may become inhaled by a susceptible host in the same room or over a long distance. The purpose of this study was to obtain comprehensive information about the knowledge, attitude, and practices in regard to airborne infection related precautions among the undergraduate students. Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out at Oman Medical College. Data was collected using a structured self-filled questionnaire. Students in 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th year were invited to participate using simple random sampling technique. Survey questionnaire comprised of series of questions covering knowledge of droplet air borne infection, infections spread through inhalation, hand washing and airborne germ transmission and regarding role of personal protective equipment’s in airborne germ transmission. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Results: A total of 175 students participated, of which 94.3% were female, 58.3% were clinical students and 41.7% were non-clinical students. Majority of participants (92.6%) believed that airborne germs are transmitted as very small particles by air currents and more than two third (74.9%) of the participants think airborne infections spread by droplet nuclei. One quarter think typhoid fever spread through inhalation of contaminated air and 83.5% gave positive responses about tuberculosis spread through air, 46.9% of participants believed measles and 33.7% chickenpox infection spread through inhalation of contaminated air. More than half of the participants think that airborne germ transmission can be prevented by environmental disinfection (63.4%) and by avoiding personal items sharing (65.1%). Nearly two third of study participant think that adherence to cough etiquette (74.9%) and standard precautions include hand hygiene (81.1%) can prevent airborne germ transmission, there was significant difference in the responses of clinical (mean rank score 79.4) and non-clinical (mean rank score 99.9) participant’s responses (p-0.006). More than two third of the participants disclosed that gown, mask, and head caps provides protective barriers against infection (88%) and PPE should be used when there is an anticipated contact with blood and body fluids of a suspected or confirmed source of infection (78.3%). Conclusion: Medical students have acceptable level of general knowledge towards droplet and airborne isolation precautions. This study indicated a need for greater awareness regarding aerosols and about the spread of droplet infections and isolation precaution.

[Full Text Article] [Download Certificate]