Abstract
Background
Health workers were at the forefront of the COVID-19 response. Due to increased exposure to
highly contagious patients, along with the relative novelty of the virus and the unpreparedness
of the healthcare system to deal with the sudden influx of cases at the time of the study, health
workers represented a vulnerable target for infection.
Objectives
The aim of the study is to explore the risk factors associated with the transmission of COVID-
19 among health workers in the Namibian private healthcare setting.
Methods
A cross-sectional design was utilised in this study. The non-probability convenience sampling
method was utilised to recruit 100 participants for the study. The World Health Organisation
COVID-19 risk assessment tool was adopted and used to collect data from the study
participants. Data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Science
(SPSS) version 28. Chi-square analyses were used to determine differences in factors related
to being COVID positive or negative. The crude logistic regression analyses were utilised to
determine factors associated with the risk of being diagnosed with COVID-19 positive.
Results
Most COVID-19 tests (28%) were conducted among the registered nurses who reported the
highest percentage (12%) with COVID-19 positive results. On the use of personal protective
equipment, more than 80% of the participants indicated that they use gloves and medical face
masks as always recommended, while only 68% of the participants indicated that they use a
v
face shield/ protective glasses and disposable gown as recommended. The association between
adhering to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during aerosol generating procedures and
COVID-19 transmission was found to be statistically significant (p-value < 0.05).
Conclusion
Improving and strengthening the implementation of IPC measures to prevent and minimize the
risk of COVID-19 infections among health workers is critical. The study findings revealed the
importance of adhering to the use PPE in the prevention of COVID-19 transmission among
health workers. Health facilities should implement IPC programme which include ensuring the
safety of health workers and patients. This study has highlighted important factors related to
transmission of COVID 19 that may be used by policy makers to address in future epidemics
and pandemics.