Abstract
Health care associated infections are most commonly transmitted by the hands of Health care workers and other hospital personnel. To investigate compliance with hand hygiene guidelines and methods of hand hygiene practice among community health officers in Rivers State Nigeria. Self administered questionnaires were distributed to 68 community health officers. The questionnaires consisted of 19 items which contained information on bio-demographic characteristics and hand hygiene practices. Data were analysed using SPSS-16 statistical software. Proportions were compared using Chi- square test and 'p' value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The response rate was 97.1%. There were 11 (16.7%) males and 55 (83.3%) females with a male to female ratio of 1: 5. The age of the participants ranged from 28-56 years with a mean age of 39.7±6.7. Washing of hands before and after contact with patient was 60.1% and 97% respectively. The difference was significant (p<0.01). Allergy to gloves was 15.2%. About three-quarter (77.3%) of the workers used soap and water to wash the hands when soiled or visibly contaminated. None of the workers used alcohol hand rub. Though there was improved compliance to hand hygiene guidelines, this still fall short of acceptable standards. The provision and promotion of the proper use of alcohol-based hand rub may further improve compliance with hand hygiene by reducing the time required to perform it and the convenience of the method.
Highlights
Health care–associated infections persist as a major problem in most health care settings and are important cause of negative health outcomes such as morbidity, mortality, increased health care costs and possible litigation[1]
Organisms that cause nosocomial infection in health care settings are most commonly transmitted by the hands of Health care workers and other hospital personnel[2, 3]
Hand washing with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub has long been considered one of the most important infection control measures to prevent healthcare-associated infections
Summary
Health care–associated infections persist as a major problem in most health care settings and are important cause of negative health outcomes such as morbidity, mortality, increased health care costs and possible litigation[1]. Hand washing with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub has long been considered one of the most important infection control measures to prevent healthcare-associated infections. The introduction of primary health care (PHC) as a major cornerstone for achieving health for all and as a means of bringing health care as close as possible to where people live and work, requires the core components of PHC to be carried out by certain cadre of staff. These staff come in contact with patients, carry out treatment of minor ailment and injuries and provide immunization.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
