Assessment of Hand Hygiene Practices and Barriers to hand Hygiene among Healthcare workers of Government Medical College Hospital Jammu

Authors

  • Jyoti Bala
  • Deepika Dewan
  • Rakesh Bahl
  • Sujata Gupta
  • Raj Kumar Bhagat

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37506/ijphrd.v14i1.18803

Keywords:

: healthcare worker, hand-hygiene practices, compliance

Abstract

Introduction: Hand hygiene is most effective interventions to reduce spread of pathogens and prevent Hospital
Acquired Infections (HIAs). Compliance of healthcare workers with hand hygiene practices is vital in preventing
transmission of HIAs.
Aims: To assess practices and barriers of hand hygiene among healthcare workers of GMCH Jammu.
Methodology: Cross sectional study was conducted among healthcare workers of Government Medical College
Hospital Jammu. Simple random sampling was used to interview 250 participants. Data was collected using
pretested, validated and semi structured questionnaire. Details like products used for hand hygiene, moments of
hand hygiene, barriers to hand hygiene practices and knowledge about hand hygiene were asked. Appropriate
statistical tests were applied
Results: Out of 250 healthcare workers majority were using soap and water 203(81%) and alcohol based sanitizers
202(80%).Majority 234(93.6%) were always performing hand hygiene after touching blood, body fluids and
secretions,222(88.8%) and after contact with the patients but only 138(55.2%) were following hand hygiene
practices while switching from one patient to other.Most common barrier to wash hands was lack of soap/
water115(46%) and inconvenient location of sinks 112(44.8%). Only 117(46.8%) were following six steps of hand
wash. The association between designation of health care worker and steps of handwashing was found to be
statistical significant.
Conclusion: Observed compliance to hand hygiene practices is low. There is lack of knowledge to perform six
steps of hand washing and lack of facilities to maintain hand hygiene.

Author Biographies

  • Jyoti Bala

    PG Resident,Department of Community Medicine, GMC Jammu, J&K

  • Deepika Dewan

    Medical Officer Department of Community Medicine, GMC Jammu, J&K

  • Rakesh Bahl

    Professor, Department of Community Medicine, GMC Jammu, J&K

  • Sujata Gupta

    Epidemiologist (AP), Department of Community Medicine, GMC Kathua, J&K

  • Raj Kumar Bhagat

    Surgeon Specialist,Government Community Health Centre, Ramgarh, J&K

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Published

2022-12-16

How to Cite

Assessment of Hand Hygiene Practices and Barriers to hand Hygiene among Healthcare workers of Government Medical College Hospital Jammu. (2022). Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development, 14(1), 110-116. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijphrd.v14i1.18803