Surface Disinfection Practice in Public Hospitals in the Era of COVID-19: Assessment of Disinfectant Solution Preparation and Use in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background

Surface disinfection of healthcare facilities with appropriate disinfectants is among the infection control strategies against the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). As sodium hypochlorite solution (SHS) is a commonly used surface disinfectant, its preparation and proper use should be given a due attention. The current study aimed at assessing the practice of Addis Ababa public hospitals in the preparation and use of SHS.

Methods

A cross-sectional observational study was employed to assess the adequacy of disinfectant solution preparation and use. Checklists were used for data collection. Descriptive statistics were used for data analyses, and categorical variables were described by frequencies and percentages.

Results

Out of the twelve public hospitals included in the study; only three hospitals checked the potency of the working SHS. Majority of the hospitals (8 hospitals) stored the concentrated SHS products in cool, dry, and direct sunlight protected places. It was only in one hospital where appropriate personal protective equipment was used during the preparation and quality control activities. Surfaces were not cleaned in all hospitals before disinfection; and the rooms were ventilated only in 2 hospitals during the application of the disinfectant solution.

Conclusion

The study revealed that the preparations of SHS in the public hospitals did not comply with most of the requirements of good compounding practice. Moreover, standard practices were not maintained in majority hospitals during the use of SHS for surface disinfection. As a control strategy in the spread of COVID-19 and other infections, appropriate corrective actions shall be implemented in the studied hospitals to mitigate the limitations observed in the preparation and use of SHS.

Keywords:

• compounding
• COVID-19
• disinfectants
• proper use
• public hospitals
• sodium hypochlorite solution

Data Sharing Statement

The datasets used for this publication can be obtained from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Acknowledgments

We, the authors, would like to thank Addis Ababa University for funding this adaptive research. Our acknowledgment also goes to the Ministry of Health-Ethiopia for facilitation of this study. Finally, we are also grateful to all public hospitals in Addis Ababa for their permission and participation in the study.

Author Contributions

All authors made substantial contributions to conception and design, acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data; took part in drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content; agreed to submit to the current journal; gave final approval of the version to be published; and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare no conflicts of interest in this work.

Additional information

Funding

The financial support for the study was granted by the Research and Technology Transfer Office of Addis Ababa University from the competitive adaptive and problem-solving research grant.