[Table/Fig-1]:
Comparison of knowledge in resident and nursing students regarding various aspects of hand hygiene practices Significance calculated using student T-test *p <0.05 (Significant), **p <0.001 (highly significant), NS (Not Significant)
| Residents n = 80 | Nurses n = 80 | P value | ||||
| KI | Which of the following is the main route of transmission of potentially harmful germs between patients (Health care workers hands when not clean) | 60 | 75.0% | 60 | 75.0% | NS |
| K2 | What is the most frequent source of germs responsible for health care associated infections? (Germs already present on or within the patient) | 36 | 45% | 22 | 27.5% | **0.0025 |
| K3 | According to WHO how many steps of hand washing , do you know? (7) | 48 | 60% | 52 | 65.0% | NS |
| K4 | Do you think wearing gloves replaces the need for hand washing practices (N) | 65 | 81% | 67 | 83.8% | NS |
| The most appropriate timing for performing Hand hygiene actions that prevent transmission of germs to the patient? | ||||||
| K5 | Before touching a patient (yes) | 75 | 93.8% | 79 | 98.8% | NS |
| K6 | Immediately after risk of body fluid exposure (yes) | 64 | 80% | 67 | 83.8% | NS |
| K7 | After exposure to immediate surroundings of a patient (no) | 24 | 30% | 24 | 30% | NS |
| K8 | Immediately before a clean / aseptic procedure (yes) | 68 | 85% | 72 | 90% | NS |
| The most appropriate timing for performing hand hygiene actions that prevent transmission of germs to the health care worker? | ||||||
| K9 | After touching a patient (yes) | 76 | 95% | 80 | 100% | *0.02 |
| K10 | Immediately after a risk of body fluid exposure (yes) | 72 | 90% | 73 | 91.3% | NS |
| K11 | Immediately before a clean / aseptic procedure (no) | 39 | 48.8% | 49 | 61.3% | *0.05 |
| K12 | After exposure to the immediate surroundings of a patient (yes) | 62 | 77.5% | 65 | 81.3% | NS |
| With respect to Hand cleansing which of the following statements on alcohol-based hand rub and hand washing with soap and water are true? | ||||||
| K13 | Hand rubbing is more rapid for hand cleansing than hand washing (true) | 58 | 72.5% | 65 | 81.3% | NS |
| K14 | Hand rubbing causes skin dryness more than hand washing (false) | 25 | 31.3% | 16 | 20% | NS |
| K15 | Hand rubbing is more effective against germs than hand washing (false) | 37 | 46.3% | 28 | 35% | *0.01 |
| K16 | Hand washing and hand rubbing are recommended to be performed in sequence (false) | 29 | 36.3% | 11 | 13.8% | NS |
| K17 | What is the minimal time needed for alcohol based rub to kill most germs on your hands? (20 seconds) | 28 | 35% | 20 | 25% | NS |
| Which type of hand hygiene method is required in the following situations? | ||||||
| K18 | Before palpation of the abdomen ( rubbing) | 22 | 27.5% | 31 | 38.8% | *0.02 |
| K19 | Before giving an injection ( rubbing) | 19 | 23.8% | 24 | 30% | NS |
| K20 | After emptying a bed pan (washing) | 55 | 68.8% | 64 | 80% | *0.02 |
| K21 | After removing examination gloves (rubbing/washing) | 56 | 70% | 66 | 82.5% | NS |
| K22 | After making a patients bed ( rubbing) | 24 | 30% | 10 | 12.5% | **0.0005 |
| K23 | After visible exposure to blood (washing) | 38 | 47.5% | 46 | 57.5% | *0.03 |
| Which of the following should be avoided, as associated with increased likelihood of colonization of hands with harmful germs? | ||||||
| K24 | Wearing jewellery (yes) | 62 | 77.5% | 77 | 96.3% | **0.0001 |
| K25 | Damaged skin (yes) | 75 | 93.8% | 74 | 92.5% | NS |
| K26 | Artificial fingernails (yes) | 64 | 80% | 72 | 90% | *0.04 |
| K27 | Regular use of a hand cream (no) | 47 | 58.8% | 58 | 72.5% | NS |
| What type of cleansing agent is used in your healthcare setting ? | ||||||
| K28 | Soap bar | 37 | 46% | 35 | 43.8% | NS |
| K29 | Alcohol based hand rub | 40 | 50% | 42 | 52.5% | x2 |
| K30 | Liquid soap | 33 | 41% | 33 | 41.3% | 0.154 |
| K31 | Antiseptic | 35 | 44% | 35 | 43.8% | NS |
| K32 | Are WHO recommended hand washing instructions displayed at your set up | 62 | 78% | 65 | 81.3% | NS |
| Where are the hand washing facilities located at your workplace? | ||||||
| K33 | Throughout the healthcare setting | 55 | 69% | 58 | 72.5% | NS |
| K34 | Conveniently located | 42 | 53% | 47 | 58.8% | |
| K35 | In Conveniently located | 30 | 38% | 28 | 35.0% | |
| K36 | Don't know | 15 | 19% | 12 | 15.0% | |
| What do you think are the reasons for poor hand washing compliance? | ||||||
| K37 | Lack of knowledge of guidelines/ protocols | 72 | 90% | 68 | 85.0% | NS |
| K38 | Wearing gloves/ gowns | 10 | 13% | 12 | 15.0% | |
| K39 | Lack of role models among colleagues/ superiors | 60 | 75% | 58 | 72.5% | |
| K40 | Understaffing and Overcrowding | 45 | 56% | 50 | 62.5% | |
| K41 | Poor access to hand washing facilities | 50 | 63% | 48 | 60.0% | |
| K42 | Non availability of alcohol based hand rubs | 55 | 69% | 56 | 70.0% | |
| K43 | Non availability of soap and water | 52 | 65% | 57 | 71.3% | |
| K44 | Hand washing agents cause irritation and dryness | 30 | 38% | 32 | 40.0% | |
| What is the best approach to improve handwashing compliance? | ||||||
| K45 | Motivation | 72 | 90% | 75 | 93.8% | NS |
| K46 | Availability of alcohol based hand rubs | 40 | 50% | 45 | 56.3% | |
| K47 | Training and education of HCW | 63 | 79% | 67 | 83.8% | |
| K48 | Need for automated soap dispensers | 15 | 19% | 18 | 22.5% | |
| K49 | Instructions demonstrating correct hand washing techniques to be displayed | 55 | 69% | 45 | 56.3% | |