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Greener Journal of Epidemiology and Public Health Vol. 8(1), pp. 14-23, 2020 ISSN: 2354-2381 Copyright ©2020, the copyright of this article is retained by the author(s)
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Compliance of Health Workers with Hand Hygiene Measures in a Tertiary Health Facility in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Dimoko AA1; Ijah RF2; Elenwo SN. 3
1 – Lead Author, Consultant General Surgeon, Department of Surgery, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt.
2 – Corresponding Author, Senior Registrar and General Surgeon, Department of Surgery, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt.
3 - Consultant General Surgeon, Department of Surgery, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt.
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ARTICLE INFO |
ABSTRACT |
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Article No.: 041420060 Type: Research
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Background: Hand-washing with soap and water as a form of personal hygiene, and use of antiseptics hand cleansing agents have been advocated for several generations ago for physicians caring for patients with contagious diseases. The aim of this study was to ascertain compliance of health workers with hand hygiene measures in the surgical wards and clinics of a tertiary healthcare centre in Port Harcourt
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among health workers using 200 self-administered semi-structured questionnaires (183 retrieved) and 183 direct (covert) observation. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. The observational aspect of the study was randomized.
Results: Majority (97.8%) of the respondents asserted positively to awareness and practice of hand hygiene when on duty. However, the findings from direct covert observation showed that compliance was poor. Factors responsible for poor hand hygiene practices were negligence/ forgetfulness (74.3%), lack of water 72.1%, etc. The observed (actual) compliance was far less 59 (42.4%) than expressed compliance 179 (97.8%) with hand hygiene measures.
Conclusion: Efforts should be made to ensure that the knowledge gained is put to practice by removing constraints and emphasizing practice of hand hygiene measures.
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Accepted: 15/04/2020 Published: 27/06/2020 |
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*Corresponding Author Dr. Ijah, Rex F.O.A. E-mail: rexijah@ gmail.com Phone: +2348033953290 |
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Keywords: Hand Hygiene Measures; Health workers; Doctors; Nurses; Port Harcourt |
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Cite this Article: Dimoko AA; Ijah RF; Elenwo SN (2020). Compliance of Health Workers with Hand Hygiene Measures in a Tertiary Health Facility in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Greener Journal of Epidemiology and Public Health, 8(1): 14-23. |
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