Background: Health care associated infections (HAIs) are a source of concern worldwide. No health service in any\ncountry can be considered HAI risk-free. However, there is scarcity of data on the risks to which both patients and\nhealth workers are subject in non-hospital settings. The aim of this study was to identify issues that determine the\nadherence of professionals to precautions for preventing transmission of microorganisms in primary health care.\nMethod: This was a qualitative study, using focus groups of primary health care staff, in two Brazilian municipalities.\nThe data were analysed using content analysis.\nResults: Four focus groups were conducted with 20 professionals (11 community health workers, 5 nursing\nassistants and 4 nurses), and the analysed content was organized into four thematic categories. These categories\nare: low risk perception, weaknesses in knowledge, insufficient in-service training and infrastructure limitations.\nParticipants expressed their weaknesses in knowledge of standard and transmission based precautions, mainly for\nhand hygiene and tuberculosis. A lack of appropriate resources and standardization in sharps disposal management\nwas also highlighted by the participants.\nConclusion: The study points out the need to provide in-service training for professionals on the transmission of\nmicroorganisms in primary health care to ensure adequate level of risk perception and knowledge. Further\nrecommendations include investment to improve infrastructure to facilitate adherence to precautions and to\nminimize the risk of disease transmission for both patients and health care workers
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