Abstract
Background: Despite advancements in medical science, respiratory infections, including Tuberculosis (TB) and COVID-19, continue to cause disease and mortality, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The COVID-19 pandemic has overburdened healthcare systems, particularly in rural areas. The study aimed to assess respiratory infection prevention measures for workers in rural clinics in the Lower Lubombo Region of Eswatini.
Methods: The study consisted of 193 health workers in eight clinics located in the Lubombo region of Eswatini. Random sampling was utilised, and data was collected using electronic questionnaires administered through Google Forms. The data was encoded and analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 28. The data analysis involved the use of frequency and Pearson chi-square.
Results: The self-reported incidence TB was 9.3%, while the self-reported prevalence of COVID-19 was 46.1%. The majority of healthcare personnel acquired PPE on a monthly basis, with only a minority experiencing challenges in acquiring PPE. The study did not find any statistically significant correlations between the availability of PPE and the incidence of TB and COVID-19 infection. The study additionally revealed that a significant percentage of healthcare workers possess the requisite expertise regarding TB (98.4%) and COVID-19 (96.4%).
Conclusion: The objective of the study was to assess the respiratory infection prevention protocols implemented by healthcare personnel in the rural Lubombo Region of Eswatini. The study's findings indicate that healthcare workers possess knowledge and awareness pertaining to respiratory illnesses and the corresponding preventive measures. Most healthcare workers have access to PPE, although there is a lack of PPE provision, particularly based on employment type. Moreover, this study has demonstrated the necessity of consistently and purposefully conducting training programs to uphold the understanding of respiratory infections and the implementation of preventive measures. These programs aim to augment the level of knowledge and awareness among all personnel involved in managing respiratory infections, enabling them to fulfill their responsibilities to the highest standard.