Publication:

Study of knowledge and perception of hand hygiene among nursing staff in a tertiary care hospital

Background Health care-associated infections (HAIs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality, significantly impacting hospitalized patients. Poor hand hygiene among healthcare workers is a primary contributor to these infections, leading to longer hospital stays, increased antibiotic resistance, and substantial financial burdens. Nurses, being the largest group of healthcare workers with extensive patient contact, play a crucial role in preventing HAIs through proper hand hygiene. This study aimed to assess nurses' knowledge and perceptions of hand hygiene to inform strategies for promoting effective practices.

Methods This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital, involving 234 nursing staff. Participants provided verbal consent. The study utilized the WHO hand hygiene knowledge questionnaires. Scores were converted to percentages and categorized as good (>75%), moderate (50-75%), or poor (<50%). Incomplete questionnaires were excluded. Data was kept confidential, validated by a pilot test, and analysed using SPSS version 23.

Results The study included 234 predominantly female (92.73%) and young (62.39% aged 20-30) nursing staff; 96% had received formal hand hygiene training. Regarding knowledge, 62.82% had moderate knowledge, 32.90% had poor knowledge, and only 4.27% demonstrated good knowledge. For perception, a significant majority (80.34%) showed good perception, with 12.39% moderate and 7.26% poor. Gaps were identified in understanding germ sources and the effective use of hand rubs/washes.

Conclusions The study findings highlight the critical need for tailored, ongoing training programs focusing on practical demonstrations, clarification of germ sources, and effective application methods.