Hand hygiene practices among community Health Officers in Rivers State, Nigeria

Afr Health Sci. 2013 Jun;13(2):507-11. doi: 10.4314/ahs.v13i2.43.

Abstract

Background: Health care associated infections are most commonly transmitted by the hands of Health care workers and other hospital personnel.

Objective: To investigate compliance with hand hygiene guidelines and methods of hand hygiene practice among community health officers in Rivers State Nigeria.

Methods: 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.

Results: 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.

Conclusion: 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.

Keywords: Alcohol; Community health officers; Hand hygiene.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Community Health Workers*
  • Cross Infection / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Guideline Adherence
  • Hand Hygiene / methods*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nigeria
  • Surveys and Questionnaires