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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Frontiers in Public Health

COVID-19 infection prevention and control preparedness among healthcare workers in public hospitals in Yemen: a comprehensive assessment of knowledge, practices, perceptions, and institutional readiness

  • Ola M. Nader Jarada1
  • Abdulsalam M. Al-Mekhlafi2
  • Mohammed Jafer3
  • Mosa A. Shubayr4
  • Lana Sayal5
  • Fatimah Ali Hadadi6
  • Alhussain Mohammad Hendi7
  • Fatmah Ali Hazazi6
  • Shadi Abdullah Hamzi8
  • Mohammed M. Al Moaleem9
  • Ibtisam Moafa10
10 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Al-Razi University
  2. 2Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana’a University
  3. 3Mohammed Jafer, Preventive Dental Science Department, College of Dentistry, Jazan University
  4. 4Mosa A. Shubayr. Preventive Dental Science Department, College of Dentistry, Jazan University
  5. 5Oral Medicine Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Al-Wataniya Private University, University of Aden
  6. 6Department of Pharmacy, Jazan University Hospital, Jazan University
  7. 7Department of Nursing, Jazan University Hospital, Jazan University
  8. 8University Dental Hospital, College of Dentistry, Jazan University
  9. 9Department of Prosthetic Dental Science, College of Dentistry, Jazan University
  10. 10Preventive Dental Science Department, College of Dentistry, Jazan University
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Abstract

Background and aim: Healthcare workers (HCWs) remain at increased risk of occupational exposure to COVID-19, making effective infection prevention and control (IPC) essential for protecting healthcare personnel and patients. Evidence about HCWs’ knowledge, practices, perceptions, and institutional preparedness remains limited in Yemen. This study aimed to assess HCWs’ knowledge, practices, perceptions, and organizational preparedness regarding COVID-19 IPC measures in public hospitals in Sana’a City, Yemen, and examine demographic and professional factors associated with these outcomes.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 386 HCWs selected using stratified random sampling from five public hospitals in Sana’a from September to November 2023. Data were collected using a validated structured questionnaire assessing knowledge, practices, perceptions, and workplace factors, complemented by an observational checklist evaluating institutional IPC preparedness. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to analyze the data. A p -value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Overall, 39.7% of participants demonstrated good knowledge, with substantial deficiencies observed in knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 transmission (7.5%), despite relatively better knowledge of disease concepts (61.9%) and treatment (54.5%). Good preventive practice was observed in 55.4% of participants, although compliance with personal protective equipment varied considerably. Only 8.0% demonstrated an overall positive perception toward COVID-19 prevention. Knowledge was significantly associated with age, educational level, profession, and years of experience (all p < 0.05), whereas practice was associated with sex, age, and profession. Observational findings revealed important institutional deficiencies, including the absence of negative-pressure isolation rooms, alcohol-based hand hygiene stations, routine HCW screening, and COVID-19-specific IPC guidelines.

Conclusion: HCWs in Yemeni public hospitals demonstrated moderate preventive practices but insufficient knowledge, predominantly negative perceptions, and substantial institutional preparedness gaps. Strengthening competency-based IPC training, ensuring continuous access to updated guidelines and essential resources, and improving organizational preparedness are critical for enhancing HCW safety and strengthening resilience against future infectious disease outbreaks.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{jarada2026covid19,
  title = {{COVID-19 infection prevention and control preparedness among healthcare workers in public hospitals in Yemen: a comprehensive assessment of knowledge, practices, perceptions, and institutional readiness}},
  author = {Ola M. Nader Jarada and Abdulsalam M. Al-Mekhlafi and Mohammed Jafer and Mosa A. Shubayr and Lana Sayal and Fatimah Ali Hadadi and Alhussain Mohammad Hendi and Fatmah Ali Hazazi and Shadi Abdullah Hamzi and Mohammed M. Al Moaleem and Ibtisam Moafa},
  journal = {Frontiers in Public Health},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3389/fpubh.2026.1949595},
  url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1949595/full},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - COVID-19 infection prevention and control preparedness among healthcare workers in public hospitals in Yemen: a comprehensive assessment of knowledge, practices, perceptions, and institutional readiness
AU  - Ola M. Nader Jarada
AU  - Abdulsalam M. Al-Mekhlafi
AU  - Mohammed Jafer
AU  - Mosa A. Shubayr
AU  - Lana Sayal
AU  - Fatimah Ali Hadadi
AU  - Alhussain Mohammad Hendi
AU  - Fatmah Ali Hazazi
AU  - Shadi Abdullah Hamzi
AU  - Mohammed M. Al Moaleem
AU  - Ibtisam Moafa
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/29
JO  - Frontiers in Public Health
DO  - 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1949595
UR  - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1949595/full
AB  - Background and aim: Healthcare workers (HCWs) remain at increased risk of occupational exposure to COVID-19, making effective infection prevention and control (IPC) essential for protecting healthcare personnel and patients. Evidence about HCWs’ knowledge, practices, perceptions, and institutional preparedness remains limited in Yemen. This study aimed to assess HCWs’ knowledge, practices, perceptions, and organizational preparedness regarding COVID-19 IPC measures in public hospitals in Sana’a City, Yemen, and examine demographic and professional factors associated with these outcomes.  Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 386 HCWs selected using stratified random sampling from five public hospitals in Sana’a from September to November 2023. Data were collected using a validated structured questionnaire assessing knowledge, practices, perceptions, and workplace factors, complemented by an observational checklist evaluating institutional IPC preparedness. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to analyze the data. A p -value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.  Results: Overall, 39.7% of participants demonstrated good knowledge, with substantial deficiencies observed in knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 transmission (7.5%), despite relatively better knowledge of disease concepts (61.9%) and treatment (54.5%). Good preventive practice was observed in 55.4% of participants, although compliance with personal protective equipment varied considerably. Only 8.0% demonstrated an overall positive perception toward COVID-19 prevention. Knowledge was significantly associated with age, educational level, profession, and years of experience (all p < 0.05), whereas practice was associated with sex, age, and profession. Observational findings revealed important institutional deficiencies, including the absence of negative-pressure isolation rooms, alcohol-based hand hygiene stations, routine HCW screening, and COVID-19-specific IPC guidelines.  Conclusion: HCWs in Yemeni public hospitals demonstrated moderate preventive practices but insufficient knowledge, predominantly negative perceptions, and substantial institutional preparedness gaps. Strengthening competency-based IPC training, ensuring continuous access to updated guidelines and essential resources, and improving organizational preparedness are critical for enhancing HCW safety and strengthening resilience against future infectious disease outbreaks.
SN  - 2296-2565
ER  -