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Radiographers' self-perceived knowledge regarding infection control in the Free State province during the COVID-19
Ida-Keshia Sebelego1, Je'nine Horn-Lodewyk2
1Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Health SA = SA Gesondheid
|February 6, 2026
Summary
Radiographers and students showed inadequate infection control knowledge, despite rating themselves highly. Further training and audits are recommended to improve patient safety and compliance with infection control guidelines.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare
- Radiography
- Infection Control
Background:
- Radiographers are essential healthcare workers.
- Effective infection control knowledge and training are vital for minimizing patient infection risks.
- The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of infection control in healthcare settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the self-perceived infection control knowledge among qualified radiographers and diagnostic radiography students.
- To assess the gap between self-perceived knowledge and actual knowledge of infection control practices.
Main Methods:
- A quantitative questionnaire study was conducted in three public sector radiology departments.
- 106 participants (radiographers and diagnostic radiography students) completed the questionnaire.
- Data were analyzed using statistical tests (Wilcoxon two-sample, Kruskal-Wallis) to identify significant differences.
Main Results:
- Only 30.2% correctly identified hands as the primary mode of infection transmission.
- 98.1% knew that long fingernails harbor microbes, indicating varied knowledge levels.
- Participants rated their knowledge as adequate to excellent, yet their median score was 60%, demonstrating adequate but improvable knowledge. No significant relationship was found between training/experience and knowledge.
Conclusions:
- Radiographers' and student radiographers' knowledge of infection control requires enhancement.
- Implementing infection control audits and in-service training can improve compliance and knowledge.
- This study addresses an under-researched group, providing crucial data on radiographers' infection control awareness.
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