HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATED INFECTIONS (HCAI) AND HAND HYGIENE: A STUDY OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE AMONG RESIDENT DOCTORS FROM A TERTIARY HOSPITAL

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Health care associated infections HCAI are serious problem in health care services and the common cause of morbidity and mortality in the hospitalized patients. Resident doctors are among those health care workers {[}HCWs], who are the first care providers. Also, HCWs contribute greatly to the transmission of HCAI. OBJECTIVE: To assess the awareness of HCAI and knowledge, attitude and practice of hand hygiene among resident doctors in a tertiary care hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted among resident doctors from tertiary care hospital and data was collected using a pretested questionnaire. RESULTS: The study had 90 participants. There was a higher level (90\%) of awareness regarding Centre for disease control (CDC) hand-washing guidelines. About 51\% wore gloves, when at direct contact with the patients. The average compliance of the three levels of residents with hand hygiene measures at different times of attending patients is: 59.33\% before starting work while, 68\% after removing gloves. All participants claimed to change gloves while going to another patient. All of them believed that HCWs are responsible for transmitting HCAI and 93\% said that HCAI are preventable. About 58\% of resident doctors were aware of the provision of alcohol based rubs in the wards. Busy schedule was the commonest reason for non-compliance with the hand hygiene practice. CONCLUSION: There is need to promote and monitor hand hygiene measures by implementing various strategies like re-enforcement of the knowledge of importance of hand hygiene and easy accessibility to hand washing agents.