Healthcare workers' knowledge of evidence-based guidelines for prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia in Hodeida, Yemen.

Objectives: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most common nosocomial infection in patients requiring mechanical ventilation in intensive care units (ICUs). VAP is associated with delayed extubation, prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs and mortality rates. The aims of this study to evaluate the level of knowledge for the prevention of VAP among healthcare workers (HCWs) in ICUs and to assess their knowledge in relation to their socio-demographic characteristics.

Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional design was conducted to assess HCWs' knowledge of the guidelines for prevention of VAP in the ICUs of public and private hospitals in Hodeida city, Yemen. Around 140 self-administered multiple-choice questionnaires were distributed between April and July 2017.

Results: A total of 120 (85.6%) HCWs completed questionnaire were obtained (20 physicians, 20 anesthesia technicians and 80 nurses) in this study. The total mean score of the HCWs' knowledge was low (41 ± 18). A statistically significant difference was found in the HCWs' knowledge scores according to their specialties and gender. Anesthesia technicians had the highest knowledge score followed by physicians and nurses (52.2 ± 16.2, 45.6 ± 21.2 and 37.1 ± 16.9, respectively, p=0.002). Males had higher scores than females (Median [IQR] 4 [3-5] vs. 3 [2-4], p<0.001). Participants who received information about the prevention of VAP had better knowledge than those who did not (46.2 ± 17.7 vs. 36.8 ± 17.3, p=0.006).

Conclusions: HCWs had a low knowledge level of the guidelines for the prevention of VAP, which may affect their practice. HCWs' knowledge was affected by their previous received information that increases the necessity to provide them with regular in-service education and training programs.