Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice of hand washing among health care  workers in a tertiary care hospital

Rejitha I M; Samuel Joseph M; Sucilathangam G; Revathy C

Volume : IV, Issue : VIII, August - 2015

Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice of hand washing among health care workers in a tertiary care hospital

Rejitha I M, Samuel Joseph M, Sucilathangam G, Revathy C

Abstract :

Background and Objectives: Health care workers hands are exposed to infectious agents acquired from the patients. Many of these potentially harmful micro-organisms pose an increased risk of cross transmission between the patients and also to the health care workers.. A simple and an effective hand hygiene is the leading strategy to ensure personal as well as patients safety and ultimately reduces the burden of infection in a health care facility. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of hand washing among different categories of health care providers in our tertiary care hospital.Materials and methods:A self-administered questionnaire was issued to a total of 200 health care workers which included 50 doctors, 50 nurses, 50 medical Students and 50 lab technicians. The KAP Scores were calculated and according to the score the grades poor fair good and excellent were given.Results:The results of the study indicated that health care providers had reasonable knowledge about hand washing and the risk of nosocomial infections, but suboptimal practices especially with hand-drying. Their attitude towards hand hygiene is also not appreciable.Conclusion: The Health Care Workers have to build a positive attitude that Hand Hygiene is an important part of their work in preventing the risk of cross transmission of potentially harmful multi drug resistant nosocomial pathogens. Proper measures have to be taken to provide proper hand drying facilities, reduce work load and organize training on infection control on a regular basis.