Effects of infection prevention training on healthcare waste han dlers’ compliance in hospitals of Gedeo zone, Southern Ethiopia: a quasi-experiment study

Background: Healthcare waste handlers (HCWHs) are at risk of health issues due to exposure to infectious healthcare waste. Infection prevention and control (IPC) training is essential to enhance their knowledge, attitudes, practices, and compliance (KAPC) with standard precautions (SP), thereby reducing the spread of infections. However, the effectiveness of IPC training for HCWHs in low-resource settings like Ethiopia remains under-researched. This study aims to evaluate the impact of IPC training on HCWHs’ KAPC regarding standard precautions in public hospitals within the Gedeo zone of Southern Ethiopia. Methods: A quasi-experimental study design was conducted with 124 HCWHs across four public hospitals from July to December 2022. Each hospital delivered a four-day IPC training program, utilizing a structured and interactive approach that included presentations, hands-on demonstrations, and group discussions to promote participation and understanding. HCWHs’ KAPC regarding standard precautions were assessed using structured questionnaires and observational checklists. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics and the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test, with regression analysis identifying demographic factors associated with KAPC changes post-training. A significance level of p < 0.05 was established. Results: The median score differences between pretest and posttest were sta tistically significant for knowledge (z =-8.554, p = 0.00, r = 0.54), attitude (z =-8.356, p = 0.00, r = 0.53), practice (z =-8.696, p = 0.00, r = 0.55), and compliance (z =-8.523, p = 0.00, r = 0.54). IPC training resulted in significant improvements: knowledge increased by 46%, attitude by 8.1%, practice by 19.4%, and compliance by 23.7%. IPC-related awareness among HCWHs (AOR: 2.55; 95% CI: 1.16-5.61) and the presence of Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) in hospitals (AOR: 2.53; 95% CI: 1.17-5.43) were significantly associated with positive attitudes toward SP. Additionally, attitudes were significantly linked to HCWHs’ practices regarding infection prevention measures (AOR: 2.48; 95% CI: 1.10-5.59), and practices were statistically associated with compliance levels (AOR: 27.02; 95% CI: 9.50-76.87). Conclusion: IPC training effectively enhanced HCWHs’ knowledge, attitudes, practices, and compliance with standard precautions.