Abstract
Background/Objectives: The practice of hand hygiene by healthcare workers is critical to preventing Healthcare-associated infections. This study was designed to assess the knowledge, attitude and hand hygiene practices among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka, Nigeria. Methods: A pretested, structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on the participant’s demographics, their knowledge and attitude to hand hygiene practices. The data collected were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS-20) and presented as frequency and percentages response. Results: Of the 100 questionnaires distributed, 77 questionnaires were adequately filled and returned. HCWs agreed to hand washing before activities such as Palpation (55.8%), before giving injections (68.8%), and after emptying a bed pan (93.5%). HCWs are motivated to wash their hands because of fear of contracting infection. Busy work schedule in between patients militates against good practice of hand washing. Conclusion: More than half (53.2%) of the HCWs did not receive formal training on hand hygiene in the last 3 years and majority lacked the knowledge of good hand washing techniques. Hand washing was higher after patient contact than before contact. Hand washing can be improved by administrative order, educational programmes and increased surveillance.
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