KNOWLEDGE OF HAND HYGIENE AND COMPLIANCE AMONG CLINICIANS- AT A LEVEL SIX HOSPITAL IN KENYA: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Background: Healthcare-associated infection (HCAI) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among hospitalized patients, Compliance with hand hygiene (HH) recommendations is the simplest and most effective measure in preventing this infection. These infections are a cause of 37,000 deaths in Europe and 100,000 deaths in the United States annually. Thus, prevention of their spread is of utmost importance.

Aim/Objectives: The study sought to determine the knowledge and compliance of hand hygiene among clinicians in a level six hospital in Kenya.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 140 clinicians using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected with a set of self-administered, modified WHO questionnaire and analyzed using IBM and SPSS version 25 statistical package

Results: A total of 140 respondents, (121 nurses and 19 doctors) participated in the study, of which 93 were females. Compliance to hand-disinfection was found to 65% (n=19) for doctors and 64% (n=121) for nurses. The mean age of respondents was 35.2±9.3 years, and majority of them were between 31-40years (50%). The male to female ratio was 1.9: 1. Most of the respondents were nurses121 (86.4%). There was statistical relationship (association) between professional cadre on the knowledge on hand hygiene i.e. those received formal training on hand hygiene in the last 4 years Chi p=0.022).From the survey results, it was seen that more nurses (88 73%, expected=84) had received formal training on hand hygiene in the last 4 years more than Doctors (9 47%, expected=13).

Conclusion:- There was an average compliance to hand hygiene practices with a knowledgeable staff however more effort is needed to improve this through generation of standard operating procedures and guidelines with equitable and consistent supply of hand hygiene accessories.