Socio-Demographic Predictor of Handwashing Practice among Health Care Workers in A Tertiary Institution in Nigeria

Abstract

Background & Objective: Hand washing practice is a well-recognized preventive measure against infectious organisms including COVID-19. There is a need to find out factors that may influence good hand washing practice. This study was done to investigate the socio-demographic predictors of good hand washing practice among the healthcare workers in the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba. Method: This was an institutional-based, cross-sectional study carried out among 247 Health care workers using a systematic sampling design. A structured, standardized questionnaire was used to collect data.SPSS version 25 was applied for data analysis. Statistical significance was set at a p-value < 0.05. Logistic Regression analysis was done to determine the socio-demographic predictor of good hand washing practice. Results. The majority of Health care workers had good knowledge (91.9%) and practice (98.9%) of hand washing. The respondent’s profession (chi-square value 4.71, p-value <0.03)) and Gender (chi-square 5.24, p-value < 0.22) were statistically associated with the practice of good hand washing. Gender is the only significant predictor of good hand washing practice on the Multivariate analysis level. Conclusion: Gender is a predictor of good hand washing practice among health care workers in Federal Medical Center Asaba. Efforts should be made to establish an Infection prevention committee in every Health care facility. This will ensure regular training of staff to eliminate Hospital-acquired infection to the barest minimum.