Assessment of Infection Control Practices Among Caregivers of Daycare Centers

Mehwash Ajmal; Hira Iman; Naila Mushtaq; Nasreen Sharif; Sehrish Ajmal

doi:10.70749/ijbr.v2i02.320

Authors

Mehwash Ajmal Combined Military Hospital, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
Hira Iman Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
Naila Mushtaq Imperial College of Business and Management Studies, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
Nasreen Sharif Imperial College of Business and Management Studies, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
Sehrish Ajmal University of Lahore, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70749/ijbr.v2i02.320

Keywords:

Infection Control, Daycare Hygiene, Caregiver Practices, Child Health, Public Health, Immunization, Sanitation Standards, Disease Prevention

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to assess infection control practices among caregivers in daycare centers across Punjab, Pakistan, to identify gaps and recommend improvements for reducing disease transmission. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in private, public, and NGO-run daycare centers in Lahore, Islamabad, and Rawalpindi. Data were collected from 150 caregivers using a structured questionnaire divided into demographic, hygiene practices, and environmental factors. Observational data on infection control practices were also recorded. The questionnaire included a 5-point Likert scale for hygiene assessments, while immunization and child health data were self-reported. Descriptive and inferential statistics were analyzed using SPSS version 25, with p-values <0.05 considered significant. Ethical approval was obtained, and participant confidentiality was maintained per the Declaration of Helsinki. Results: Female caregivers constituted 71.3%, with a mean age of 39.91 years (SD = 11.75). Adequate hygiene facilities were reported in 72.7% of centers (p=0.012*), and regular sanitation practices were maintained in 83.3% (p=0.002**). Hand hygiene scored a mean of 3.04 (SD = 1.12), while PPE usage was 2.98 (SD = 1.10). Immunization was complete for 86.0% of children, while illness episodes averaged 2.12 (SD = 1.09, p=0.013*). Conclusion: Significant gaps in infection control practices necessitate regular training, facility improvements, and policy interventions to enhance child health and safety in daycare centers.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Zheng, F. M., Adiatman, M., Chu, C. H., Crystal, Y. O., Featherstone, J. D., Hoang, T. H., Kim, B. I., Ogawa, H., Pitiphat, W., Kadir, R. A., Wong, M. L., & Zheng, S. (2024). Recommendations on Topical Fluoride Usage for Caries Management in East Asia. International Dental Journal, 74(5). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.identj.2024.04.016

Williams, P., Herring, T. A., Yokota, R. T. C., Maia, T., Venkatesan, S., Marcus, J. C., Settergren, G., Arnetorp, S., Lloyd, A., Severens, J. L., Varni, J. W., Dixon, S., Hamusankwa, L., Powell, P. A., Taylor, S., Ware, J. E., & Krol, M. (2024). The Association of Physical Distancing Behaviors to Avoid COVID-19 with Health-Related Quality of Life in Immunocompromised and Non-Immunocompromised Individuals: The Patient-Informed Protocol for the Observational, Cross-Sectional EAGLE Study (Preprint). JMIR Research Protocols, 13, e52643–e52643. https://doi.org/10.2196/52643

Tony-Okeke, T. O., Zoakah, J. H., Odoh, A. F., Nnorom, O. C., Aule, S. K., Mathew, M., & Envuladu, E. A. (2024). KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION OF HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS VACCINE AMONG ADOLESCENTS AND CAREGIVERS IN JOS METROPOLIS, PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA. West African journal of medicine, 41(11 Suppl 1), S47–S48. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39541268/

Sarı, C., & Demirbağ, B. C. (2024). The effect of model-based android phone application supported clean intermittent catheterization training on caregivers and children: A randomized controlled study. European Journal of Pediatrics, 184(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-024-05890-z

Sanftenberg, L., Bader, F., Rottenkolber, M., Sebastiao, M., Kühlein, T., Eidenschink, C., Gágyor, I., Wildgruber, D., Hausen, A., Janke, C., Hoelscher, M., Teupser, D., Dreischulte, T., & xGensichen, D. (2024). Associations of mental health with vaccination readiness in informal caregivers and the vaccination status of their care recipients during the Covid-19 pandemic – A cross sectional analysis. Vaccine, 42(22), 126218–126218. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.126218

Poh, P., Carey, M. C., Manning, J. C., Lee, J. H., & Latour, J. M. (2024). Parental emotional, social and transitional health in the first 6 months after childhood critical illness: A longitudinal qualitative study. Journal of Advanced Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.16288

Mavundza, E. J., Jaca, A., Cooper, S., Duduzile Edith Ndwandwe, & Wiysonge, C. S. (2024). Factors associated with HPV vaccine acceptance and hesitancy in Africa: a systematic review protocol. BMJ Open, 14(11), e082592–e082592. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-082592

Khraisat, O. M. A., & Al-Bashaireh, A. M. (2024). Evidence-based nursing practice and improving pediatric patient care outcomes in the prevention of infection transmission: Emergency department findings: PLoS ONE. PLoS ONE, 19(6), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0305001

Karalliu, E., Chung, K. Y., MacKinnon, B., Haile, B., Beczkowski, P. M., Barrs, V. R., Elsohaby, I., & Nekouei, O. (2024). Risk factors for antimicrobial-resistant Enterobacterales in dogs: a systematic review. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1447707

Denecke, K., & Reichenpfader, D. (2024). Preparing for Hospital at Home: A Review of the Current Landscape of Training Practices. Collaboration across Disciplines for the Health of People, Animals and Ecosystems, 48-52.

Chua, G. T., Mack, D. P., Shaker, M. S., & Chan, E. S. (2024). Oral food immunotherapy in patients with atopic dermatitis. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 133(3), 278–283. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anai.2024.05.022

Christiansen, A. W., Petersen, T. A., Maj, C., Santy-Tomlinson, J., & Jensen, C. M. (2024). Improving external fixator pin site care through user involvement: a quality improvement project. International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing, 55, 101139–101139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijotn.2024.101139

Chieochanthanakij, R., Wattanasatja, V., Passorn, P., Wannigama, D. L., & Kanjanabuch, T. (2024). Caregiver Skin Infection Causing Peritoneal Dialysis-Associated Peritonitis. Medical Mycology Case Reports, 44, 100653–100653. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mmcr.2024.100653

Bouza, E., Asensio, A., Navarro, J. A. G., González, P., Benito, M. A. A., Aguilar, J., Aguilar, J., Barberán, J., Cabrera, J., Díez-Manglano, J., Fernández, C., Fernandez-Prada, M., Fontán, G., Cisneros, J. M., Lorenzo-Vidal, B., Oliveros, A. M., Navas, P., Palomo, E., & Kestler, M. (2024). Guía de recomendaciones para la prevención de la infección sociosanitaria en las residencias de mayores. Farmacéuticos Comunitarios, 16(1), 28–50. https://raco.cat/index.php/FC/article/view/424560

Barakat‐Johnson, M., Stephenson, J., Lai, M., Basjarahil, S., Campbell, J., Cunich, M., Disher, G., Geering, S., Ko, N., Leahy, C., Leong, T., McClure, E., O’Grady, M., Walsh, J., White, K., & Coyer, F. (2024). Impact of an evidence‐based bundle on incontinence‐associated dermatitis prevalence in hospital patients: A quasi‐experimental translational study. International Wound Journal, 21(6). https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.14936

Badlis, S., Yu, H., Klusaritz, H., Tan, A. S. L., Dooley, T., Heggs, H., Collins, S., Raczka, G., DeRoche-Brown, N., Feuerstein-Simon, R., Bauermeister, J. A., Villarruel, A. M., Bonett, S., Glanz, K., & Lipman, T. (2024). Engaging Trusted Messengers to Increase COVID-19 Pediatric Vaccine Uptake in Philadelphia: Lessons from the VaxUpPhillyFamilies program. Vaccine, 42(22), 126040–126040. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.06.008

Solomon O, A., Ayodele I, O., Rasheedat M, I., Folake M, A., & Olayinka R, I. (2023). Mothers/caregivers’ knowledge of routine childhood immunization and vaccination status in children aged, 12-23 months in Ilorin, Nigeria. African Health Sciences, 23(4), 582–591. https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v23i4.61

Sevgili, S. A., & Şenol, S. (2024). The Effect of Gastrointestinal Mucositis Care Training Given to Pediatric Leukemic Patients and Caregivers on Mucosal Barrier Injury. Cancer Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1097/ncc.0000000000001385

Almeida da Silva, J. L., Ribeiro da Silva, M., Ramos da Cruz Almeida, T. H., & Barbosa, D. A. (2024). Educational interventions to prevent urinary infections in institutionalized elderly people. Quasi-experimental Study. Investigación y educación en enfermería, 42(1).

Almansour, N. A., AlHedyan, Y. A., Alshathri, N. N., Alsubaie, R. S., Alsuliman, S. Y., Omair, A. A., Alanazi, A. K., & Alserayaa, A. S. (2024). Efficacy of home healthcare on the management of tracheostomy patients. Saudi Medical Journal, 45(7), 724–730. https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2024.45.7.20240294