Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on Hand Hygiene among ICU Staff in Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital

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.