Hand washing practice among the health care workers.

Thesis Report.

ABSTRACT: Health care associated infection has been identified as one of the major challenges of modern medicine and remains a major health concern around the globe. The hands of the health-care workers are potential vehicle for transmission of pathogenic organisms within the healthcare environment. Hand washing has been widely accepted as one of the most effective measures in prevention of hospital acquired infections. Several studies have demonstrated low frequency and compliance of handwashing practice among the health care workers. A cross sectional study was conducted to assess the hand washing practice among the health care workers during routine patient care. A structured questionnaire with 24 questions was administered to the healthcare workers in a multi- specialty, non- government tertiary care teaching hospital in Kathmandu. A total of 336 health care workers participated in the study of which about 45% washed their hands both before and after examining each patient, 29% washed hands only after the examination, 2% only before the examination and 25% didn't wash hands during examination. About 97% of the participants washed hands immediately after exposure to hospital instruments, blood or other body fluids. For hand hygiene, "water and soap bar" were available to about 52% of the participants followed by "water and liquid hand wash" available to 22% of the participants. About 41% of the participants had received a formal training on hand washing and about 99% of the participants reported that hand washing could be an effective measure in preventing health care associated infections. The healthcare workers understand the importance of hand washing but tend to wash their hands selectively depending upon the indications. Most of the health care workers wash their hands after the patient care than before. The practice and compliance of hand washing can be improved by multi modality approach. Keywords: hospital; infection; health workers; hand washing practice

Eng.