Healthcare Workers’ Preparedness: An Exploratory Study for Measles Control in a Middle-Income Country

Figures & data

Figure 1 Seroprevalence of IgG against measles among HCWs.

Table 1 Factors Affecting the Immune Status of the Study Participants Against Measles

Characteristics	Immune Status Against Measles				Test of Sig.	P-value
	Seropositive (n=97)		Seronegative (n=7)
Age (years):
Mean ± SD	34.19±10.89		28.4±8.01		t=1.37	0.17
Gender	No	%	No	%
Male	16	16.5	2	28.6	χ^2=0.66	0.41
Female	81	83.5	5	71.4
Marital Status:
Unmarried	19	22.7	2	28.6	χ^2=9.8	0.002*
Married	78	77.3	5	71.4
Residence:
Rural	20	20.6	4	57.1	χ^2=4.91	0.03*
Urban	77	79.4	3	42.9
Job:
Physicians	34	35.1	3	42.9	χ^2=0.79	0.67
Nurses	56	57.7	3	42.9
Paramedical personnel	7	7.2	1	14.3
Current job duration:
<10ys	17	17.5	4	57.1	χ^2=6.36	0.01*
≥10ys	80	82.5	3	42.9
Take infection control training courses
Yes	74	76.3	2	28.6	χ^2=7.56	0.006*
No	23	23.7	5	71.4
Wear PPE (especially mask N95) while dealing with measles patients?
Yes	75	77.3	1	14.3	χ^2=14.17	0.001*
No	14	14.4	3	42.9
Sometimes	8	8.2	3	42.9

Note: *Significant value= p<0.05.

Abbreviation: PPE, personal protective equipment.

Table 2 Knowledge of HCWs Regarding Measles Infection and Vaccination

Variables* (The Correct Answer)	Frequency (n=104)	%
Measles is a contagious disease? (Yes)	104	100.0
Measles is caused by a virus? (Yes)	84	80.8
Measles virus transmitted from one patient to another through the airborne route? (Yes)	80	76.9
Measles virus can be transmitted by food? (No)	8	7.7
Measles virus can be transmitted by contact or by using the patient’s instruments? (Yes)	84	80.8
Measles virus can be transmitted from mother to fetus? (Yes)	60	57.7
Measles virus can be transmitted from the doctor/nurse to the children? (Yes)	100	96.2
Measles virus spread from children to health workers? (Yes)	104	100.0
High fever and rash are of the measles symptoms? (Yes)	100	96.2
Measles can cause complications and health problems? (Yes)	104	100.0
Measles can be prevented by giving the vaccine? (Yes)	104	100.0
Measles vaccine is one of the WHO recommended vaccinations for HCWs? (Yes)	86	82.7
Measles vaccine can give lifelong immunity? (Yes)	64	61.5
Pregnant woman can take measles vaccine? (No)	76	73.1
Measles outbreak/epidemic can occur? (Yes)	92	88.5
Is there a cure for measles? (Yes)	88	84.6
Is the measles patient a source of infection of the offenders before the onset of rash? (Yes)	72	69.2
Is the measles patient a source of infection for the offenders only after the emergence of skin rash? (No)	16	15.4

Note: *Proportions of HCWs answered correctly statements regarding measles infection and vaccination were calculated.

Table 3 Attitude and Practice of HCWs Regarding Measles Infection and Vaccination (N=104)

Questions	Agree/Done
	No	%
Do you advise the mothers of children to take the measles vaccine and take a complementary dose?	96	92.3
Do you think it should be a compulsory vaccine for HCWs?	90	86.5
Do you believe that vaccine have to be taken even if infection control measures are followed?	85	81.7
Do you wear personal protective clothing while dealing with patients (especially mask N95)?	76	73.1
Did you take the infection control training course in hospitals for measles prevention?	76	73.1
For not trained (Are you ready to take this training course? (n=28))	20	71.4
Do you think it is important to check for immune status against measles?	70	67.3
Do you isolate measles patient in a single room?	63	60.6

Table 4 Regression Analysis for Predicting Factors Affecting Measles Vaccination Among the Investigated HCWs

Variables	OR (95% CI)
Age	0.959 (0.880–1.046)
Gender	0.492 (0.081–3.001)
Residence	0.353 (0.072–1.730)
Marital status	0.025 (0.003–0.215)*
Job	1.77 (0.620–5.092)
Current job duration	0.343 (0.062–1.899)
Taking infection control training courses	0.182 (0.046–0.726)*
Wearing PPE (especially mask N95) while dealing with measles patients	0.664 (0.280–1.571)

Note: *p< 0.05: Statistically significant.

Abbreviations: OR, odds ratio; CI, confidence interval.