Table 2 Health care workers stethoscope disinfection practices
Methods | Number (%) of stethoscopes examined | Number (%) of stethoscopes contaminated | 95% confidence interval |
|---|---|---|---|
Frequency of disinfection of stethoscopes | |||
Every day | 22 (18) | 3 (13.6) | 0.72–27.92 |
Alternate day | 14 (11.4) | 9 (64.2) | 39.09–89.31 |
Once a week | 27 (22.1) | 22 (81.4) | 66.72–96.08 |
Once a month | 16 (13.1) | 14 (87.5) | 71.3–103.7 |
>Once yearly | 9 (7.3) | 8 (88.8) | 68.2–109.4 |
Never cleaned | 34 (27.8) | 32 (94.1) | 86.18–102.02 |
Total | 122 | 88 (72.1) | 64.14–80.06 |
Methods | Numbers (%) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Methods practiced by HCW for cleaning of stethoscopes | |||
Methylated spirit swab | 42 (34.4) | 18 (42.8) | 27.84–57.76 |
Hand sanitizer | 21 (17.2) | 16 (76.1) | 57.86–94.34 |
Cloth | 11 (9) | 10 (90.9) | 73.9–107.9 |
Soapy water | 14 (11.4) | 12 (85.7) | 67.36–104.04 |
No agent/never cleaned | 34 (27.8) | 32 (94.1) | 86.18–102.02 |
Total | 122 | 88 (72.1) | 64.14–80.06 |
Hand washing after each patient | |||
Yes | 21 (17.2) | 6 (28.5) | 9.19–47.81 |
No | 101 (82.7) | 82 (81.1) | 73.46–88.74 |
Total | 122 | 88 (72.1) | 64.14–80.06 |
Stethoscope cleaning after every patient | |||
Yes | 26 (21.3) | 3 (11.5) | 0.76–23.76 |
No | 96 (78.6) | 85 (88.5) | 82.12–94.88 |
Total | 122 | 88 (72.1) | 64.14–80.06 |
Barriers to cleaning of stethoscopes | |||
Lack of time | 43 (35.2) | 31 (72) | 58.58–85.42 |
Forgetfulness/laziness | 26 (21.3) | 17 (65.3) | 47–83.6 |
Lack of knowledge regarding best disinfectant | 16 (13.1) | 12 (75) | 53.78–96.22 |
Lack of access to disinfectants | 11 (9) | 8 (72.7) | 46.37–99.03 |
Concern for damaging one’s stethoscope | 4 (3.2) | 3 (75) | 32.57–117.43 |
Sharing of stethoscopes | 13 (10.6) | 9 (69.2) | 44.1–94.3 |
Unspecified | 9 (7.3) | 8 (88.8) | 68.2–109.4 |
Total | 122 | 88 (72.1) | 64.14–80.06 |