Mekolle Keshia Ebude1, Dr Mekolle Enongene Julius2, Ginyu Innocentia Kwalar3, Dr Ndung Ako Forbinake4
1Universite Catholic d`Afrique Centrale, Cameroon
2Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services, Cameroon
3Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon
4World Health Organization, , Cameroon
Methods: Self-administered questionnaire based cross sectional study was done comparing knowledge, attitudes, and practices between participant groups. Knowledge assessment was based on the HH knowledge questionnaire for HCWs from the WHO (2009). 12 item questions answered by Likert 5-scale spectrum were used to measure participants` attitude and practice of HH. Data were entered using EpiData Version 3.1 (EpiData Association, Odense Denmark, 2008) and analyzed using SSPS standard version 21.0 (IBM Inc. 2012).
Results: More (p<0.05) nursing students (82.8%) compared to medical students (60%) had received formal training in HH in the last three years. Overall, most participants (66.7%) had moderate knowledge, majority of which were nursing students; 86.2% versus 58.6%, yet medical students were (p<0.05) more knowledgeable than nurses with 27.1% having good knowledge relative to 6.9% for nurses. Participants` attitude was satisfactory (80.8% above 50% average ranking). Majority (61.6%) had moderate HH practices though nurses were significantly (P<0.05) better at HH practice (38.0% versus 17.2% ).
Conclusion: The study shows the need for more emphasis on hand hygiene in existing training curricula and facilities for medical and nursing trainees to address gaps in knowledge, attitudes and practices enabling them engage in good hygiene practices.
Biography: Keshia is a Bachelor of Nursing Science degree holder with strong experience in primary health care delivery. Between 2018 and 2019, she served as a Senior Nurse with Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services, providing leadership and all-around patient care in all the departments, and managing the acute and chronic needs of IDPs. Passionate for reproductive health, she is completing a master in Reproductive and Sexual Health from Universite Catholic d`Afrique Centrale, Cameroon. With her rich experience in infection prevention and good nursing practice standards, she aims to leverage skills and knowledge gathered to effectively provide holistic care to underserved girls and women.
Introduction: Effective hand hygiene (HH) is essential for reducing health care associated infections (HAI). However, compliance among trainee health care workers (HCW) to HH guidelines are reportedly poor. Our objective was to identify gaps in knowledge, attitudes and practices in HH, to improve existing training programs and enhance good clinical practice.