scholarly journals Health professionals' overestimation of knowledge on snakebite management, a threat to the survival of snakebite victims—A cross-sectional study in Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. e0008756
Author(s):  
Evans Paul Kwame Ameade ◽  
Isaac Bonney ◽  
Evans Twumasi Boateng
Keyword(s):  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Physician Assistants ◽  
World Health ◽  
Knowledge Level ◽  
Medical Doctors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Service Training

Background According to the World Health Organization, snakebites, a common occupational hazard in developing countries accounts for an annual loss of between 81,000 and 138, 000 lives following 5 million bites of which 2.7 million results in envenomation. Since snakebite-associated morbidity and mortality are more prevalent in agricultural economies such as Ghana, health professionals should be optimally knowledgeable on how to manage the incidence of snakebites. Lack of knowledge or overestimation of a professional's knowledge can affect heath delivery especially for emergencies such as snakebites. The three rurally situated Tongu districts in South-Eastern Ghana with agriculture as the major source of livelihood for their inhabitants, are prone to snakebites. This study, therefore, brings up the need to assess whether the health professionals in these districts are well-equipped knowledge-wise to handle such emergencies and whether they can rightly estimate their knowledge with regards to snakebite management. Methodology/Principal findings Data was collected using a de novo semi-structured questionnaire administered through google form whose link was sent via WhatsApp to 186 health workers made up of nurses, midwives, physician assistants, medical doctors, pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians. This data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 25. Association between variables was determined using the appropriate tools where necessary, using a confidence interval of 95% and significance assumed when p ≤ 0.05. This study found male health workers significantly more knowledgeable about snakebite management (11.53±5.67 vs 9.64±5.46; p = 0.022) but it was the females who overestimated their knowledge level (27.9% vs 24.1%). The medical doctors exhibited the best knowledge on snakebite management with the registered general nurses least knowledgeable. Although most professionals overestimated their knowledge, the registered general nurses were the worst at that (53.7%). Overall knowledge of health care professionals on snakebite management was below average [10.60±5.62/22 (48.2%)] but previous in-service training and involvement in the management of snakebite were associated with better knowledge. Respondents who had no previous training overestimated their knowledge level compared to those who had some post-qualification training on snakebite management (38.1% vs 7.5%). The greatest knowledge deficit of respondents was on the management of ASV associated adverse reactions. Conclusion Health workers in rural Ghana overestimated their knowledge about snakebite management although their knowledge was low. Training schools, therefore, need to incorporate snakebite management in their curriculum and health authorities should also expose health workers to more in-service training on this neglected tropical disease.

scholarly journals Health professionals’ over estimation of knowledge on snakebite management, a threat to survival of snake bite victims - A cross-sectional study in Ghana

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evans Paul Kwame Ameade ◽  
Isaac Bonney ◽  
Evans Twumasi Boateng
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
World Health ◽  
Knowledge Level ◽  
Medical Doctors ◽  
The Social ◽  
Service Training ◽  
Level Of Knowledge ◽  
Health Organization

AbstractBackgroundAccording to the World Health Organization, snakebites, a common occupational hazard in developing countries accounts an annual loss of between 81,000 and 139, 000 lives following 5 million of bites of which 2.7 million results in envenomation. Since snakebite associated morbidity and mortality is more prevalent in agriculture economies such as Ghana, health professionals should be optimally knowledgeable on how to manage incidence of snakebites. Lack of knowledge or overestimation of a professional’s knowledge can be affects heath delivery especially for emergency situations such as snakebites. The three (3) Tongu districts South Eastern Ghana which are rurally situated with agriculture as the major source of livelihood for their inhabitants are prone to snakebite incidence hence the need to assess whether the health professionals in these districts are well equipped by way of knowledge to handle such emergencies and whether they are able to rightly estimate their knowledge with regards to snakebite management.Methodology/Principal findingsData was collected using a de novo semi-structured questionnaire administered through google form whose link was sent via to 186 health workers made up of nurses, midwives, physician assistants, medical doctors, pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians. This data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 25. Association between variables was determined using the appropriate tools where necessary, using a confidence interval of 95% and significance assumed when p ≤ 0.05. This study found male health workers significantly more knowledgeable about snakebite management (11.53±5.67 vrs 9.64±5.46; p = 0.022) but it was the females who overestimated their knowledge level (27.9% vrs 24.1%). The medical doctors exhibited the best knowledge on snakebite management with the registered general nurses least knowledgeable. Although most professionals overestimated their knowledge, the registered general nurses were the worst at that (53.7%). Overall knowledge of health care professionals on snakebite management was below average [10.60±5.62/22 (48.2%)] but previous in-service training and involvement in management of snakebite were associated with better knowledge. Respondents who had no previous training overestimated their knowledge level compared to those who had some post qualification training on snakebite management (7.5% vrs 38.1%). Greatest knowledge deficit of respondents was on the management of ASV associated adverse reactions.ConclusionHealth workers in rural Ghana overestimated their knowledge about snakebite management although their knowledge was low. Training schools therefore need to incorporate snakebite management in their curriculum and health authorities should also expose health workers to more in-service training on this neglected tropical disease.Author summaryWorld Health Organization estimates that every year between 81,000 and 139,000 die due snake bites across the world. Mismanagement of snakebites can result in increased disabilities and death if not handled by knowledgeable health workers. This study assessed if various categories of health workers made up of professionals from the medical, pharmaceutical and nursing categories in the three neighbouring Tongu districts in Ghana have the appropriate level of knowledge on snakebite management. Using a newly developed questionnaire, data was collected from the respondents using google forms sent to their WhatsApp platforms. Data was then analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 25. Results were presented in the form of tables and association between the variables also determined. The level of knowledge of sampled health workers on snakebite was below average especially among the nursing professionals. However, those who had some previous post qualification training on snakebite management exhibited a significant superior knowledge and least overestimated their knowledge hence policy makers should through workshops equip health workers especially the nurses on snakebites so that rural dwellers whose health care needs are mainly attended to by nurses can be better managed when they suffer snakebites.

scholarly journals Mask-associated de novo headache in healthcare workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose M Ramirez-Moreno ◽  
David Ceberino ◽  
Alberto Gonzalez ◽  
Belen Rebollo ◽  
Pablo Macias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact

Introduction: The pandemic caused by the new coronavirus (COVID-19) has led to changes in the development of health care activities by health professionals. We analysed whether there is an association between the appearance of de novo headache according to the type of mask used, the related factors, as well as the impact of the headache on health professionals. Method: cross-sectional study in a tertiary hospital in Extremadura, Spain. We administered an online questionnaire to healthcare workers during the period of maximum incidence of COVID-19 in our setting. Results: n=306, 244 women (79.7%), with an average age of 43 years (range 23-65). Of the total, 129 (42.2%) were physicians, 112 (36.6%) nurses and 65 (21.2%) other health workers. 208 (79.7%) used surgical masks and 53 (20.3%) used filtering masks. Of all those surveyed, 158 (51.6%) presented de novo headache. The occurrence of headache was independently associated with the use of a filtering mask, OR 2.14 (IC95% 1.07-4.32), being a nurse OR 2.09 (IC95% 1.18-3.72) or another health worker OR 6.94 (IC95% 3.01-16.04) or having a history of asthma OR 0.29 (IC95% 0.09-0.89). Depending on the type of mask used there were differences in headache intensity. And the impact of headache in the subjects who used a filtering mask was worse in the all aspects evaluated. Conclusions: The appearance of de novo headache is associated with the use of filtering masks and is more frequent in certain health care workers, causing a greater occupational, family, personal and social impact.

Perineal protection methods: knowledge and use

2021 ◽  
Vol 55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther María López Martínez ◽  
Zaraida Avilés Sáez ◽  
Encarnación Hernández Sánchez ◽  
Marcos Camacho Ávila ◽  
Ester Marín Conesa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
World Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Resident Physicians ◽  
Obstetrics And Gynaecology ◽  
Hands On ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyse the knowledge and use of perineal protection methods during the expulsive stage by health professionals involved in childbirth and whether they correspond to the World Health Organization’s recommendations. Method: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study aimed at health workers involved in births in Spain. Results: Fifty-seven professionals participated in the study: midwives (47%), gynaecologists (25%), nurse residents (14%) and resident physicians (14%) in obstetrics and gynaecology. The degree of knowledge and use of perineal protection methods differed according to the position held and was very limited among gynaecologists and resident physicians. The only method recognized by all positions was “hands on” (p = 0.05). “Hands off ” (p = 0.002), “delayed pushing” (p = 0.0001) and “maternal posture” (p = 0.03) were only known to midwives and nurse residents. “Flexion technique” (p = 0.035) and “delayed pushing” (p = 0.011) were used effectively by midwives and nurse residents. “Episiotomy” was erroneously identified as a method to protect the perineum by gynaecologists and resident physicians (p = 0.003). Conclusion: The degree of knowledge and use of perineal protection methods by health care professionals does not correspond to the recommendations of the World Health Organization.

scholarly journals Mask-associated ‘de novo’ headache in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
pp. oemed-2020-106956
Author(s):  
José María Ramirez-Moreno ◽  
David Ceberino ◽  
Alberto Gonzalez Plata ◽  
Belen Rebollo ◽  
Pablo Macias Sedas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Professionals ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Impact

ObjectivesThe pandemic caused by the new coronavirus (COVID-19) has changed care activities of health professionals. We analysed the possible association between the appearance of ‘de novo’ headache according to the type of mask used, the related factors and the impact of the cephalalgia on health professionals.MethodsCross-sectional study in a tertiary hospital in Extremadura, Spain. We provided an online questionnaire to healthcare workers during the period of maximum incidence of COVID-19 in our setting.ResultsThe subjects are n=306, 244 women (79.7%), with an average age of 43 years (range 23–65). Of the total, 129 (42.2%) were physicians, 112 (36.6%) nurses and 65 (21.2%) other health workers. 208 (79.7%) used surgical masks and 53 (20.3%) used filter masks. Of all those surveyed, 158 (51.6%) presented ‘de novo’ headache. The occurrence of a headache was independently associated with the use of a filter mask, OR 2.14 (95% CI 1.07 to 4.32); being a nurse, OR 2.09 (95% CI 1.18 to 3.72) or another health worker, OR 6.94 (95% CI 3.01 to 16.04); or having a history of asthma, OR 0.29 (95% CI 0.09 to 0.89). According to the type of mask used, there were differences in headache intensity, and the impact of a headache in the subjects who used a filter mask was worse in all the aspects evaluated.ConclusionThe appearance of ‘de novo’ headache is associated with the use of filter masks and is more frequent in certain healthcare workers, causing a greater occupational, family, personal and social impact.

scholarly journals Assessment of Factors Affecting the Implementation of Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illness for Treatment of under Five Children by Health Professional in Health Care Facilities in Yifat Cluster in North Shewa Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayele Mamo Abebe ◽  
Mesfin Wudu Kassaw ◽  
Fikir Alebachew Mengistu
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Health Care Facilities ◽  
Childhood Illness ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Influencing

Background. Every year some 12 million children in developing countries die before they reach their fifth birthday. Seven in ten of these deaths are due to acute respiratory infections (mostly pneumonia), diarrhea, measles, malaria or malnutrition. The WHO Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development (CAH), in collaboration with eleven other WHO programmes and UNICEF, has responded to this challenge by developing the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) strategy. Research that examines assessment of factors influencing the implementing the integrated management of neonatal and childhood illnesses (IMCI) strategy in Ethiopia is limited. Objective. To assess factors influencing the implementation of the IMNCI strategy by health professionals in public health institutions of Yifat cluster in North Shewa zone, Ethiopia, 2018. Method. An institutional based cross-sectional study will be conducted from March to May. A total of 201 health professionals will be selected using proportionally allocated to population size and interviewed using structured and pretested questionnaires. Data will be coded, entered and cleaned using SPSS version 20 for analysis. Univariate (frequency), Bivariate, Multiple logistic regression analysis will be employed. P-value and 95% confidence interval (CI) for OR will be used in judging the significance of the associations. P-value less than 0.05 will be taken as significant association. Results. Data were obtained from 201 health care professionals, yielding a response rate of 100%. The overall IMNCI implementation was 58% as high level implementation and 42% as low level implementation. In multivariate analysis the implementation of IMNCI was higher among IMNCI trained health care professionals ([AOR=2.7, 95% CI: (1.1.278, 4.562)]) and among those whose always referring chart booklet [AOR=2.76, 95% CI: (1.753, 5.975)]. Conclusion. IMNCI strategy can be better implemented through provision of training for the health workers. However, a variety of factor found to be a barrier to IMNCI implementation in a consistent way. Recommendations have been made related to provision of the training to the nurses and Health Care system strengthening among others.

scholarly journals Analysis of knowledge on drug delivery

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-241
Author(s):  
Juan M. Carmona ◽  
Ana M. Baena ◽  
Ana C. Berral ◽  
Quintiliano Sotelo ◽  
Beatriz Recio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Delivery ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Medication Administration ◽  
Prior Training ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Analysis Of Knowledge ◽  
Improve Health

The objective of this study was to determine the knowledge of health professionals Hospital of Montilla on the administration of drugs in emergencies. Material: cross-sectional descriptive study conducted at the Hospital of Montilla (Córdoba). A questionnaire to doctors and nurses were distributed by random sampling during the month of December 2014. A survey of Machado de Azevedo et al. (2012) that consists of 9 items for the assessment of knowledge on medication administration was used. Results: The sample was composed of 59.1% of physicians and 40.9% of nurses with an average age of 38.05 (SD±8.981). Regarding the situation of respondents, 72.7% had received prior training. Regarding their own self-assessment, 72.7% considered to have a satisfactory knowledge of drug administration. 90.9% of respondents known to exist protocols on the administration of drugs in his unit. Discussion: Although the knowledge of drug delivery is acceptable for health workers, there are differences between the two analyzed collectives. Therefore, it would be ideal to perform adequate training and retraining of staff for optimal knowledge and, in this way, improve health care.

scholarly journals Prevalence and factors associated with Metabolic Syndrome in elderly users of the Unified Health System

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 805-817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edna Cunha Vieira ◽  
Maria do Rosário Gondim Peixoto ◽  
Erika Aparecida da Silveira
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Health System ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
World Health ◽  
Fat Percentage ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Unified Health System ◽  
The Metabolic Syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with metabolic syndrome in the elderly. METHODS: Cross-sectional study, with 133 individuals randomly selected in the Unified Health System in Goiania, Goiás. The following variables were researched: anthropometric (BMI, waist circumference, fat percentage by Dual X-ray absorptiometry), sociodemographic (gender, age, color, income, marital status and years of schooling), lifestyle (physical activity, smoking and risk alcohol consumption) and food intake (risk and protective foods). The metabolic syndrome was assessed according to harmonized criteria proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO). The combinations were tested by Poisson regression for confounding factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 58.65% (95%CI 49.8 - 67.1), with 60.5% (95%CI 49.01 - 71.18) for females and 55.7% (95%CI 41.33 - 69.53) for males. Hypertension was the most prevalent component of the syndrome in both men, with 80.8% (95%CI 64.5 - 90.4), and women, with 85.2% (95%CI 75.5 - 92.1). After the multivariate analysis, only the excess of weight measured by body mass index (prevalence ratio = 1.66; p < 0.01) remained associated with the metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in this sample was high, indicating the need for systematic actions by health workers in the control of risk factors through prevention strategies and comprehensive care to the elderly.

scholarly journals Environmental Health in Perinatal and Early Childhood: Awareness, Representation, Knowledge and Practice of Southern France Perinatal Health Professionals

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 2259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Sunyach ◽  
Barbara Antonelli ◽  
Sophie Tardieu ◽  
Michele Marcot ◽  
Jeanne Perrin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Health ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Perinatal Care ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Perinatal Health ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
World Health ◽  
Environmental Toxicants ◽  
Cross Sectional

The exposure of adults of reproductive age as well as pregnant women and children to environmental contaminants is of particular concern, as it can impact fertility, in utero development, pregnancy outcomes and child health. Consequently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and international societies advocate including Environmental Health (EH) in perinatal care, yet perinatal health professionals (HPs) hardly put these recommendations into practice. In 2017, a cross-sectional study was performed in a large panel of perinatal HPs in south-eastern France with the aim of painting a picture of their current attitudes, representation, knowledge, and training expectations. Quantitative and qualitative information was collected via auto-questionnaire. Questionnaires were completed by 962 participants, mainly midwives (41.1%), physicians (25.6%) and nursery nurses (11%). Indoor/outdoor air quality and endocrine disruptors were the best-mastered topics, whereas electromagnetic fields and diet gave rise to unsure responses. Overall, perinatal HPs were ill-trained and -informed about the reproductive risks linked to daily environmental exposure. HPs reported scarce knowledge, fear of patient reaction and lack of solutions as the main barriers to providing information regarding EH to the public. Our findings highlight the need to set up EH training programmes focused on scientific knowledge and to provide simple messages and tips to help perinatal HPs deliver advice to populations to mitigate exposure to environmental toxicants.

scholarly journals Assessing Apps for Patients with Genitourinary Tumors Using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS): Systematic Search in App Stores and Content Analysis (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Ángel Amor-García ◽  
Roberto Collado-Borrell ◽  
Vicente Escudero-Vilaplana ◽  
Alejandra Melgarejo-Ortuño ◽  
Ana Herranz-Alonso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Mobile Application ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cancer Symptoms ◽  
Genitourinary Cancers

BACKGROUND The large number of available cancer apps and their impact on the population necessitates a transparent, objective, and comprehensive evaluation by app experts, health care professionals, and users. To date, there have been no analyses or classifications of apps for patients with genitourinary cancers, which are among the most prevalent types of cancer. OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to analyze the quality of apps for patients diagnosed with genitourinary cancers using the Mobile Application Rating Scale (MARS) and identify high-quality apps. METHODS We performed an observational cross-sectional descriptive study of all smartphone apps for patients diagnosed with genitourinary cancers available on iOS and Android platforms. In July 2019, we searched for all available apps for patients with genitourinary cancers (bladder, prostate, cervical, uterine, endometrial, kidney, testicular, and vulvar) or their caregivers. Apps were downloaded and evaluated, and the general characteristics were entered into a database. The evaluation was performed by 2 independent researchers using the MARS questionnaire, which rates 23 evaluation criteria clustered in 5 domains (Engagement, Functionality, Esthetics, Information, and Subjective Quality) on a scale from 1 to 5. RESULTS In total, 46 apps were analyzed. Of these, 31 (67%) were available on Android, 6 (13%) on iOS, and 9 (20%) on both platforms. The apps were free in 89% of cases (41/46), and 61% (28/46) had been updated in the previous year. The apps were intended for prostate cancer in 30% of cases (14/46) and cervical cancer in 17% (8/46). The apps were mainly informative (63%, 29/46), preventive (24%, 11/46), and diagnostic (13%, 6/46). Only 7/46 apps (15%) were developed by health care organizations. The mean MARS score for the overall quality of the 46 apps was 2.98 (SD 0.77), with a maximum of 4.63 and a minimum of 1.95. Functionality scores were quite similar for most of the apps, with the greatest differences in Engagement and Esthetics, which showed acceptable scores in one-third of the apps. The 5 apps with the highest MARS score were the following: “Bladder cancer manager,” “Kidney cancer manager,” “My prostate cancer manager,” “Target Ovarian Cancer Symptoms Diary,” and “My Cancer Coach.” We observed statistically significant differences in the MARS score between the operating systems and the developer types (<i>P</i>&lt;.001 and <i>P</i>=.01, respectively), but not for cost (<i>P</i>=.62). CONCLUSIONS MARS is a helpful methodology to decide which apps can be prescribed to patients and to identify which features should be addressed to improve these tools. Most of the apps designed for patients with genitourinary cancers only try to provide data about the disease, without coherent interactivity. The participation of health professionals in the development of these apps is low; nevertheless, we observed that both the participation of health professionals and regular updates were correlated with quality.

scholarly journals ATTITUDE AND PRACTICING BEHAVIOUR AMONG HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS REGARDING HANDWASHING:A TOOL TO PREVENT EMERGING AND RE-EMERGING INFECTIONS.

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Syed Waseem Tahir ◽  
Sahila Nabi ◽  
Shazia Javaid
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Hand Washing ◽  
Emerging Infections ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Attitude And Practice

Background: Hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to control health care related infection. Every year millions of patients around the world are affected by infections that are transmitted by the health-care professionals(HCPs).(2)(3). Rationale: Nurses and physicians are the main health care workers contacting with patients, representing the vector in the chain of infection. Thus, assessing their knowledge, attitude and practice regarding hand hygiene is very important to decrease the incidence of health care related infection and to improve quality of care. Objective: The objective of our study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of handwashing among healthcare professionals of Kashmir Division. Methods: This study was an institutional based cross sectional study, conducted in various healthcare institutions of Kashmir Division which were selected randomly. A predesigned questionnaire was used to collect the data from the participants. The questionnaires contained questions about four different parts which included sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge of hand washing, attitude and practice of hand washing among healthcare professionals. The questionnaires were distributed to various healthcare professionals working in wards, emergency department, laboratories, outpatient departments, injection and dressing rooms, EPI unit and others. The distributed questionnaires were then collected back. Results: A total of 110 participants were included. Out of total 110 participants,53% were male ,36% were nurses 36% of health professionals were working in IPD (In Patient Department). 89% of the participants agreed that, direct or indirect contacts are the most important routes for transmission of hospital-acquired infections,97% agreed that
 proper and consistent hand washing prevents infections in health facilities,100% agreed that health professionals should always wash their hands immediately when they arrive at health institutions,98% said that they knew steps of handwashing(WHO)/rules of hand hygiene,91% agreed that hand washing is the single most effective mechanism to prevent spread of infection and 95% agreed that wearing jewellery, artificial fingernails, damaged skin and regular use of hand cream are associated with increased likelihood of colonisation of hands with harmful germs. 83% of the participants said that they are committed to the proper rules of hand hygiene all the time,78% said they comply with rules of hand hygiene even in emergencies,80% said that they think when they are wearing gloves it is not necessary to wash hands,92% feel irritated when others don’t follow hand hygiene rules,95% advice others to follow the rules of hand hygiene and 97% said it is easy for you to follow rules of hand hygiene. 40%(each) of the participants said that they always and usually wash hands before touching a patient,100% of the participants said that they always wash hands before performing aseptic and clean procedures, 100% of the participants said that they always wash hands after being at risk of exposure to body fluids and 95% of patients said that they wash hands after coming to and before leaving the hospital. DISCUSSION In this study we had a total of 110 participants. Health professionals had a satisfactory knowledge of hand hygiene but some lacunae are still there as is evident in the result part. Thus from this study we conclude adherence to handwashing is lacking among health professionals, so we need to have regular handwashing sessions for health professionals which will regularly sensitize them, also we need to address the reasons of this poor adherence both at the administrative and personal level. We also recommend to conduct more studies in this field so as to highlight the shortcomings in hand hygiene and then to improve upon them.

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