Observational assessment of hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers in public hospitals of Northeastern Ethiopia

ABSTRACT

This study examined the magnitude and predictors of hand hygiene compliance among 325 healthcare workers in three public hospitals of Northeastern Ethiopia using standardized observational tool. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was computed to identify factors associated with non-compliance. The overall proportion of observed hand hygiene non-compliance was 41.8% (95%CI: 36.6–48.1). Having <5 years of work experience (AOR = 1.5; 95%CI: 1.2–2.5), absence of hand washing soap (AOR = 3.1; 95%CI: 2.3–5.4), work overload (AOR = 2.5; 95%CI: 1.9–4.1), pipe water supply interruption (AOR = 2.8; 95%CI: 2.1–4.9), lack of hand hygiene training (AOR = 3.1; 95%CI: 2.2–4.4), and absence of infection prevention committee (AOR = 2.1; 95%CI: 1.5–4.9) were determinant factors for hand hygiene non-compliance. Therefore, regional health bureau and hospitals’ managers should work towards the provision of regular hand hygiene trainings, uninterrupted piped water supply, hand washing soap, and establishment of functional infection prevention committee. Moreover, healthcare workers should be also committed to comply with hand hygiene.

KEYWORDS:

• Hand hygiene
• healthcare workers
• public hospital
• compliance

Abbreviations

AOR adjusted odds ratio	=
COR Crude odds ratio	=
CI Confidence interval	=
HAI Healthcare associated infections	=
CDC Center for communicable disease control	=
WHO World Health Organization	=

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge Wollo University, college of medicine and health sciences for providing ethical clearance for this study. The authors are grateful for all staff members of the hospitals and the zonal authorities. Besides, we would like to acknowledge the data collectors, supervisors, and study participants for their commitment, efforts, and willingness to participate in this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Availability of data statement

Datasets analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding authors upon reasonable request.

Consent for publication

We confirm that all participants have been given an opportunity to review the final manuscript and have provided written consent to publish.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The study was approved by the institutional review board of the Wollo University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences (Approval number: CMHS/121/2021). Permission and support letters were also obtained from the hospitals’ chief executive officers and healthcare providers’ head before data collection. Informed consent for participation was taken from the study participants. Data was gathered anonymously without recording the names and any other identifiers of the study participants to keep confidentiality. All the methods were performed in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations, and the declaration of Helsinki.

Additional information

Funding

The authors have no funding to report.