ASSESSMENT OF THE KNOWLEDGE LEVEL AND PRACTICES OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS (HCPS) REGARDING HAND HYGIENE IN THE MAJOR PUBLIC SECTOR TERTIARY CARE HOSPITALS OF PESHAWAR, KHYBER PAKHTUKHWA, PAKISTAN

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to identify the knowledge level and practices of health care professionals (HCPs) regarding hand hygiene in the public sector tertiary care hospitals (TCHs) of Peshawar Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan.
METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 144 health care professionals in the major public sector tertiary care hospitals of Peshawar Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan in 2017. Data collection instrument was a self administered questionnaire. Data analysis was done through SPSS version 24 software while graphs were designed through MS-excel 2010.
RESULTS: Total 144 participants were recruited for the study. The response rate was 100%. 53.5% were male while 46.5% were female. 79.2% respondents had high level of knowledge while 61.1% had good practices of hand hygiene. 29.9% participants were washing hands before and 41% after contacting with patient. Analysis of date regarding practiced hand drying techniques showed that 63.2% allow hands to air for self-dry, 13.2% use disposable paper and 12.5% use common towel.
CONCLUSION: This study concluded that the overall knowledge of health care professionals regarding hand hygiene was high, while the practices were substandard because of poor hand drying technique.