Assessment of infection prevention and control measures adopted by eye care practitioners in Ghana and South Africa against COVID-19

This study investigated the infection prevention and control measures adopted by eye care practitioners in Ghana and South Africa during the lockdown phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was used to investigate infection prevention and control measures by eye care practitioners in Ghana (n = 189) and South Africa (n = 92) during the extended lockdown phase (01 April-30 June 2020) by both countries, immediately following the WHO declaration of COVI9–19 as a pandemic. Participants from both countries included Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, Ophthalmic nurses, and Opticians who were invited via email and social media platforms to complete an online questionnaire. The questionnaire assessed practitioners’ general knowledge on the COVID-19, viral exposure, infection prevention and control measures adopted during eye examinations. The majority of the practitioners from Ghana 140 (74%) and 43 (47%) South Africa reported COVID-19 screening at their facilities before the commencement of eye examinations. Few practitioners 77 (41%) and 9 (10)% from Ghana and South Africa, respectively had received any form of training (seminars and workshops) in COVID-19 infection prevention and control measures. Practitioners frequently practiced hand washing - Ghana (125, 66%), South Africa (70, 76%) -, wearing of nose masks - Ghana 126 (67%), South Africa 51 (55%), alcohol-rub on equipment - Ghana 115 (61%), South Africa 45(49%) as a means of sterilizing the hand and equipment against COVID-19 during close contact examinations. The majority of practitioners from the two countries adhered to basic safety protocols despite receiving no additional training on COVID-19 infection prevention. Maintenance of universal safety precautions in eye care facilities is key to preventing nosocomial infections.