ABSTRACT:
The cross-sectional study to assess the level of knowledge in the selection and application of chemical disinfectants was conducted in public hospitals in the Tshwane Health District, Gauteng Province, South Africa. A quantitative research methodology and stratified random sampling were used to collect data from 91 Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Officials and 167 cleaning staff utilising two separate questionnaires. The study finds that 71.4% (n=65) of IPC officials had an adequate level of disinfection knowledge and practices, whereas 22% (n=20) had a moderate level, and 6.6% (n=6) had a low level. In the cleaning staff cohort, 161 out of 167 (96.4%) had high knowledge and practice of cleaning materials and chemical disinfectants, while 1.2% (n=2) had medium knowledge and practice, and 2.4% (n=4) had low knowledge and practice. Low knowledge implies a poor state, medium shows an intermediate (moderate) state, and high indicates an appropriate level of understanding and practical usage of chemical disinfectants. The study concludes that almost 30% of the IPC Officials and 3.6% of the cleaning staff did not have the appropriate level of knowledge. These findings indicate significant knowledge and practice gaps, particularly in the IPC Official cohort. Inappropriate and general misuse of chemical disinfectants can contribute to the spread of Hospital Acquired infections (HAI).