ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES PATTERN OF HAND WASHING IN SOME MAJOR PUBLIC SECTOR HOSPITALS OF PAKISTAN:A MULTI-CENTER STUDY

ABSTRACT

Aims: Knowledge, attitude, and practices of hand washing were assessed in major Public Sector Hospitals of Pakistan to see the difference in practices in different levels of health care workers. 

Setting: Cross sectional hospital based survey conducted all over Pakistan in major tertiary care hospitals of all provinces

Methods:  A cross sectional hospital based survey was conducted all over Pakistan on 3243 doctors, nurses and paramedical staff after taken informed signed consent. From each hospital, 10 OPD’s and 10 wards i.e. Medical (two), Surgical (two), Gynea, Peads, Dermatology, Eye, ENT, and Causality / ICU were selected and from each unit four doctors, four Nurses and two paramedical staff were interviewed.

Results: Over all knowledge of respondents was around 87.3% (56.2-99.3%). Hand washing facilities were available around 75% places. Only 69.3% participants’ practice hand hygiene, and only 58.9% of the participants wash their hands for more than 20 seconds. Majority wash their hands with antibacterial soap bought by them. Rush of patients, shortage of time, non availability of hygiene product and no encouragement by seniors were the major cause for low hand hygiene practice. 

Conclusions: Majority has the knowledge but still needs motivation and continuous education of hand hygiene. Facilities of hand hygiene should also be made available.