KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF HAND HYGIENE AMONG INTERNS IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE, TAMILNADU, SOUTH INDIA- A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Dr. Vasantha Mallika. M. C; Dr. M. Narayanan

Volume : IX, Issue : VI, June - 2020

KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF HAND HYGIENE AMONG INTERNS IN A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE, TAMILNADU, SOUTH INDIA- A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Dr. Vasantha Mallika. M. C, Dr. M. Narayanan

Abstract :

Background: Hand hygiene is the most important measure to prevent transmission of germs and infections.The major sites associated with hand flora to harbor high number of micro organisms are finger nails and subungual area, contributing to continued spreading of infection. Hand hygiene is one of the important elements of infection control practices among health care providers while providing health care. Improper or poor hand washing practices can lead to cross infection and spread of Multi Drug Resistant pathogens and Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs). Aims &Objectives: To assess the knowledge and practice of hand hygiene among Interns in a tertiary care centre. Materials & Methods: Cross– sectional study conducted among Interns posted in SreeMookambika Institute of Medical sciences, Kulasekharam, Kanyakumari district, Tamilnadu during a period of three Months from January to March 2020. Data were collected using a pre tested, semi structured questionnaire. Data were entered in Microsoft Excel and analysis was done using SPSS trial version20.0. Results: Among the 75 study participants, 56 % (42) were male interns, 44 % (33) were female interns. Among the study participants, 60 % (45) told that the most frequent source of germs responsible for Hospital Acquired Infection is the organism already present on the patient. Majority of the participants (80%) correctly told that minimum time required for alcohol based hand rub to kill germs is 20 seconds. Majority of the interns (88%) had received formal training in hand washing. Among the participants 60 ( 80%) routinely followed hand hygiene practices. Conclusion: Even though majority of the interns have moderate knowledge regarding hand hygiene, only more than 50% of them correctly practice hand hygiene. Repeated awareness generation on hand hygiene practices among health care professionals is needed to prevent hospital acquired infections.