Knowledge, Attitude and Practice regarding hand hygiene among Medical Students and Nurses - A questionnaire based survey in tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Hand hygiene is a milestone to control infectious diseases and prevent cross transmission of microorganism and reduces the incidence of healthcare associated infections, improved hand hygiene practice has been recognized as an important public health measure. The study was carried out in a Tertiary care teaching hospital over a period of three months.  A total two seventy  six (276) students were included in this study. A descriptive approach was adopted, including collection of information through questionnaire based survey. Structured knowledge questionnaires were prepared according to W.H.O. criteria. The present study concluded that the knowledge regarding hand hygiene was found to be average, 186 (67.4%) of the medical students and nurses attending tertiary care hospital, whereas 190 (68.8%) had average score for attitude of hand hygiene and 173 (62.7%) had average score for practice of hand hygiene. So frequent orientation, regular training, workshops, seminars and hand hygiene education should be given mandatory for all the students and staffs for understanding the importance of hand hygiene were improved hand hygiene practice should reduce the healthcare cost which help in preventing hospital acquired infections.