Abstract:
lntroduction : Hand hygiene practices of health care
workers has been shown to be an effective measure
in preventing hospital acquired infections.
Methodology : We carried out a study to assess the
knowledge, attitudes, practices and satisfaction of
facilities available to health care workers in the
intensive care units with regard to hand hygiene in
the Anuradhapura Teaching hospital using a self
ad mi niste red q uestion nai re.
Results : Our study showed that majority of
respondents (72.5%) had moderate knowledge of
hand hygiene. Knowledge on the correct use of
hand washing and alcohol hand rubs was not
consistent. When the attitudes were assessed for
each individual respondents 47S% had good
attitudes whereas a majority (62.5%l wasseento
have poor hand hygiene practices. The level of
satisfaction among the health care workers
regarding the facilities available for hand hygiene
was poor (55%).
Conclusion : Hand hygiene knowledge attitudes and
practices among ICU staff in Anuradhapura
Teaching hospital was moderate to poor. Our study
highlights the urgent need for introducing measures
to increase the knowledge, attitudes, practices and
facilities available for hand hygiene in the lCUs in
Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, which may play a
very important role in increasing hand hygiene
compliance among the ICU staff and reducing cross
transmission of infections among the ICU patlents.
