• Jolly Sebastian
• 2. Dr. VijayLaxmi Verma

Abstract Background of the study The neonatal intensive care unit is a special place in the hospital because the infants need special care and assistance. Newborns are exposed to many different caregivers and may have multiple blood tests, intravenous lines, and other invasive procedures that are required to preserve the life of newborns. Infection control in the neonatal setting is concerned with preventing nosocomial or healthcare-associated infection in the NICU. Healthcare workers should adhere to practices or techniques that control or prevent infection thus protecting neonates from various diseases. Although knowledge is high in some areas, infection control practices in preventing the spread of infection need improvement in the actual practices of central venous catheter care and hand hygiene. Infections in the NICU are often caused by negligence in infection control practices and procedures, non-sterile environments and unclean surfaces, and ill healthcare providers. Nurses are the heart and hand of the health team and are the first-line care providers to the neonates; they carry out sterilization and disinfection as part of their duties. It is believed that an efficient and skilled performance of the healthcare staff is a strategy for the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infection, contributing to improving the quality of life of the newborn. It is worth stressing that all the members of the healthcare team are responsible for preventing and controlling infections in the NICU. This study examines the knowledge and practice of healthcare workers on prevention and control of infections and their associated factors among health professionals working at various neonatal intensive care units. A modified protocol for the prevention and control of infection in the NICU assisted healthcare professionals in using it while working in the NICU. Aims and Objectives The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a modified protocol in the prevention and control of infections on knowledge and practice among healthcare professionals in neonatal intensive care units. The objectives of this were to assess and compare the pre and post-intervention knowledge and practice score of infection control measures used by all healthcare professionals working in NICU and also to find out the association between knowledge score and practice score of infection control measures used by all health care professionals working in NICU and its related demographic variables such as age, gender, professional qualification, and years of experience. Methods A quantitative research approach was used in this study and A Pre-experimental research design One group pretest–posttest design was used to assess the effectiveness of the modified protocol in the prevention and control of infections on knowledge and practice among healthcare professionals in neonatal intensive care units in selected hospitals of Uttar Pradesh. The data collection was done from selected hospitals in Uttar Pradesh. First, the pre-test was done by using a structured knowledge questionnaire to assess the knowledge of healthcare professionals and observation checklists of NICU set up and observation checklist on individual healthcare professionals for their practice, by the investigator then modified protocol was administered to the samples. The post-test was done after 10 days. Results Among the 357 healthcare professionals working in neonatal intensive care units in selected hospitals of Uttar Pradesh (129) 36 % were male and (228) 64 % were female. There is a significant increase in the knowledge score of all the health care professionals after the implementation of the protocol. ANMs had pre-test knowledge of 45%, post-test knowledge of 75%, and practice pre-test score of 77.1%, and a post-test score of 99.5%. GNMs had pre-test knowledge 43.3% post-test knowledge 97.5% and for practice pre-test score 79.5%, post-test score was 100%. BSc/ Post Basic BSc had pre-test knowledge of 56.6%, a post-test score was 100% and for practice, a pre-test score of 79% post-test score was 100%. Doctors had a pre-test knowledge score of 70%, a post-test score was 100%, and for practice pre-test score was 76.6% post-test score was 100%. The knowledge level of healthcare professionals at a 5% level of significance t = 15.5 is much greater than the critical value of t= 2.26, In the practice of healthcare professionals, at a 5% level of significance, t = 11.10 is much greater than the critical value of t 2.26. There is a significant improvement in the knowledge level and a significant improvement in practical skills after the implementation of the protocol. So, the infection control protocol is found to be effective. Interpretation and conclusion The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of infection control protocol on knowledge and practice among healthcare professionals in the NICU. The findings of the data analysis revealed that the protocol enhances the knowledge and practice of healthcare professionals. Hence, the infection control protocol in the NICU can be utilized by healthcare professionals to prevent the risk of nosocomial infection among neonates. Statistically significant improvement is seen in the healthcare professional’s knowledge and practice after the implementation of the protocol. This study reveals that the protocol can be used effectively in all the NICU settings. The findings of the study have great implications for nursing practice, education, administration, and research.

Keywords: - Effectiveness, Protocol, Knowledge, Practice, Healthcare professionals

"Effect of Modified Protocol on Prevention and Control of Infections Among Health Care Professionals in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.10, Issue 11, page no.b678-b689, November-2023, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2311180.pdf

"Effect of Modified Protocol on Prevention and Control of Infections Among Health Care Professionals in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.10, Issue 11, page no. ppb678-b689, November-2023, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2311180.pdf