Assessment of the cleaning and disinfection practices among healthcare workers in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) post-patient discharge

Introduction: Patients being admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) pose a risk of developing common healthcare acquired infections. Healthcare workers (HCWs) must be well-equipped and knowledgeable to deliver effective cleaning and disinfection protocols to reduce the chances of hospital-acquired infections. Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of cleaning and disinfection after the discharge/death of patients among the HCWs in selected ICUs. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted in selected ICUs of a tertiary care hospital. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the participants which included 106 staff nurses and 47 housekeeping staff and 110 events of cleaning and disinfection were observed. A structured knowledge questionnaire was used to collect the knowledge among the participants and a practice checklist was used to collect the practice regarding cleaning and disinfection separately from both staff nurses and housekeeping staff. The study was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Good knowledge was reported among 75 (70.8%) nursing staff and 28 (59.6%) housekeeping staff on cleaning and disinfection. It was found that in all the observed events, 110 (100%) of the HCWs had worn gloves and discarded the single-used items and linens of the patients. Conclusions: Most of the HCWs used good barrier techniques while at work and cleaning and disinfection practices were found to be appropriate in maintaining the ideal infection control practices in ICUs with compliance with the hospital policies

The pattern of smartphone usage, smartphone addiction, and associated subjective health problems associated with smartphone use among undergraduate nursing students

BACKGROUND: The usage of smartphones has become common among adolescents, despite knowing the health-related problems of the user. Currently, the availability of electronic gadgets has become economical and this has an impact on society, especially on the behavior of adolescents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey design was used to find the pattern of smartphone usage, smartphone addiction, and subjective health problems associated with smartphone usage. The data were obtained from 270 nursing students using the convenient sampling technique using a sociodemographic proforma, semi-structured questionnaire on the pattern of smartphone usage, Smartphone Addiction Scale, self-reported subjective health problems questionnaire, and study habits scale. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Descriptive and inferential statistics was used for the analysis using SPSS 16.0. RESULTS: The study findings revealed that most of the participants 243 (90.0%) were using 4G phones. The majority 88 (32.60%) of the participants were using a smartphone for less than 2 hours at a stretch in a day. Most uses of a smartphone were in the night 155 (57.40%). The main usage of a smartphone was for entertainment purposes 213 (78.90%). Most of the participants 196 (72.6%) were moderately addicted to smartphones. One-third 109 (40.2%) of the participants complained of headache, followed by straining of the eyes 83 (30.6%). CONCLUSION: The awareness of smartphone addiction and health-related problems associated with smartphone usage has been shown to decrease its impact. The study concluded that it is very much necessary to identify the pattern of smartphone usage, to prevent the consequences of addiction and health problems associated with smartphone usage

Perception, satisfaction, and self-regulation in a blended learning environment during COVID-19 pandemic among health sciences students: A cross-sectional survey

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has severely impacted the health status of the people and the education of the students affecting their learning process and performance in examinations. Blended learning (hybrid learning) has evolved as one of the convenient and innovative methods of using technologies with the integration of traditional methods, significantly when face-to-face interaction is compromised. This study aimed to assess perception, satisfaction, and self-regulatory learning behaviors among undergraduate health sciences students.METHODS AND MATERIAL: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was carried out among 550 undergraduate students. The tools used for data collection were demographic proforma, perception scale, satisfaction questionnaire, and self-regulation learning scale, which were self-report questionnaires. The data were analyzed using Spearman's rank correlation and Chi-square test.RESULTS: About 378 (68.7%) out of 550 students preferred traditional face-to-face learning before the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas 276 (50.2%) students chose blended learning after the pandemic. About 424 (77.1%) perceived blended learning positively, 267 (48.5%) were moderately satisfied, and 377 (68.5%) of the students had moderate self-regulation in blended learning. The study revealed a strong, positive relationship, between perception (r = 0.817, P 0.05.CONCLUSIONS: To implement innovative pedagogical techniques using improvised technological assistance in teaching and learning, building up an effective blended learning environment within every institution is essential