scholarly journals Influence of COVID-19 Pandemic on Health-care Workers’ Hand Hygiene Practice at a Private Academic Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa: A Quantitative and Qualitative Longitudinal Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 109
Author(s):  
Estella L. Watkins ◽  
Zama Sibiya ◽  
Damon Bizos ◽  
Warren Lowman ◽  
◽  
...  
2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 357-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adelphine Nibamureke ◽  
Egide Kayonga Ntagungira ◽  
Eva Adomako ◽  
Victor Pawelzik ◽  
Rex Wong

Purpose Post-cesarean wound infection (PCWI) is a common post-operative complication that can negatively affect patients and health systems. Poor hand hygiene practice of health care professionals is a common cause of PCWI. This case study aims to describe how strategic problem solving was used to introduce an alcohol-based hand rub in a district hospital in Rwanda to improve hand hygiene compliance among health care workers and reduce PCWI. Design/methodology/approach Pre- and post-intervention study design was used to address the poor hand hygiene compliance in the maternity unit. The hospital availed an alcohol-based hand rub and the team provided training on the importance of hand hygiene. A chart audit was conducted to assess the PCWI, and an observational study was used to assess hand hygiene compliance. Findings The intervention successfully increased hand hygiene compliance of health care workers from 38.2 to 89.7 per cent, p < 0.001, and was associated with reduced hospital-acquired infection rates from 6.2 to 2.5 per cent, p = 0.083. Practical implications This case study describes the implementation process of a quality improvement project using the eight steps of strategic problem solving to introduce an alcohol-based hand rub in a district hospital in Rwanda. The intervention improved hand hygiene compliance among health care workers and reduced PCWI using available resources and effective leadership skills. Originality/value The results will inform hospitals with similar settings of steps to create an environment that enables hand hygiene practice, and in turn reduces PCWI, using available resources and strategic problem solving.


Author(s):  
Peter Appiah-Thompson ◽  
Josephine Ashong

Aims: To assess the knowledge of hand hygiene among health care workers in the Paediatrics Department and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH). To determine the hand hygiene practice among health care workers. To determine the barriers to hand washing practices in the Paediatrics Department. Study Design: A cross-sectional descriptive study design was done. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Paediatrics between 14th February, 2020 to 12th March ,2020 Methodology: 81 health workers including 31 doctors and 50 nurses (35 working nurses and 15 nursing students) who have direct contact to patients on the wards were included in the study. A World Health Organization (WHO) adopted self-administered questionnaire on hand hygiene was used. Results: From the study, 75.3% of the respondents had fair knowledge on hand hygiene and 24.7% also had poor knowledge. Most doctors generally had a better knowledge of hand hygiene whilst nurses generally had poor knowledge. With a p-value of 0.002, a statistical association was found between having received formal education and the performance of routine hand hygiene practices.  Some barriers affecting hand hygiene practice included forgetfulness, lack of time and lack of alcohol-based hand rub. Conclusion: In conclusion, most of the health care workers had a fair knowledge on hand hygiene with a few having poor knowledge. Majority of health care workers reported they routinely use hand washing and alcohol hand rub in their daily practice. Regular education and practice of hand hygiene are essential to prevention of spread of diseases especially during this time of the Covid-19 pandemic.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aminu U. Kaoje ◽  
Yahaya Mohammed ◽  
Zainu M. Sabitu ◽  
Bilkisu G. Abubakar ◽  
Abdulrazaq M. Abduljabbar ◽  
...  

Background: Hospital associated infections (HAIs) remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. And despite the simplicity of hand hygiene practice, an important preventive measure that has been proven to reduce the risk of acquiring and transmitting HAIs, Health care workers (HCW) compliance with the recommendations is of serious concern. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hospital associated infections and HCWs compliance with hand hygiene practice in a tertiary hospital. Methods and material: This was a hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study among 110 patients on admission selected using universal sampling, and 377 HCWs selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data collected with self-administered questionnaire for HCWs, interviewer-administered proforma for the patients and data extraction sheet for laboratory analysis. Data analyzed for descriptive statistics using SPSS version 20.0. Results: Patients' mean age was 32.8, IQR: 10.5-37.9 years. Majority, 56(50.9%) were females; Hausa/Fulani, 91(82.7%) and 37(33.6%) had only Qur'anic education while only 20(18.2%) had tertiary education. Health care workers' mean age was 31.8 5.3 years. Majority 227(60.2%) are females, and 267(71.8%) of the participants have received training on hospital infection control. Overall prevalence of HAIs was 42.7%, highest in surgical unit. Commonest HAIs being blood stream infections, and the least, Health Care Associated Pneumonia. Most of the infections were due to Staphylococcus aureus, 22(46.8%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 14(29.8%). Highest hand hygiene practice was reported after contact with body fluid and highest non-compliance reported was before touching patient. Hand hygiene compliance rate was 49.6% and main reasons to non-compliance were high work load, lack of running water and soap, and regular use of hand gloves. Conclusions: Prevalence of HAIs was reportedly high, and low hand hygiene compliance and rate despite majority of the HCWs having received training on Hospital infection control. To reduce the prevalence and the associated burden of HAIs, there is need to put in measures to improve compliance to quality hand hygiene practice by health workers.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronel Sewpaul ◽  
Rik Crutzen ◽  
Natisha Dukhi ◽  
Derrick Sekgala ◽  
Priscilla Reddy

Abstract Background Maternal mortality among adolescent mothers in South Africa is higher than many middle-income countries. This is largely attributable to conditions that can be prevented or managed by high quality antenatal care. The way in which pregnant adolescents are treated at antenatal clinics influences their timely utilization of antenatal services. This qualitative study reports on the experiences of pregnant adolescents with health care workers when accessing antenatal care. Methods Pregnant girls aged 13–19 (n = 19) who attended public health care facilities that provide Basic Antenatal Care (BANC) services in Cape Town, South Africa were recruited. Four face to face in-depth interviews and four mini focus group discussions were undertaken, facilitated by a topic guide. Thematic analyses were used to analyse the data. Results Experiences that reinforce antenatal attendance, such as respectful and supportive treatment, were outweighed by negative experiences, such as victimization; discrimination against being pregnant at a young age; experiencing disregard and exclusion; inadequate provision of information about pregnancy, health and childbirth; clinic attendance discouragement; and mental health turmoil. Conclusions There is evidence of a discordant relationship between the health care workers and the pregnant adolescents. Adolescents feel mistreated and discriminated against by the health care workers, which in turn discourages their attendance at antenatal clinics. Maternal health care workers need to receive support and regular training on the provision of youth friendly antenatal care and be regularly evaluated, to promote the provision of fair and high quality antenatal services for adolescent girls.


2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 531-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie Reid ◽  
Jason Moghaddas ◽  
Michael Loftus ◽  
Rhonda L. Stuart ◽  
Despina Kotsanas ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 1198-1202
Author(s):  
M.l Fatima ◽  
M. Waqar ◽  
H. Qamar ◽  
M. Akram ◽  
F. Zia ◽  
...  

Background: Iatrogenic and nosocomial infections are a serious threat to a healthcare setting especially during a pandemic. Hand hygiene among the health-care workers stands out to be a pivotal preventive measure. Practical application of hand hygiene measures during third wave of COVID-19 pandemic primarily depend upon the current knowledge among the health care workers. Methods: A cross-sectional study design based on validated WHO questionnaire for hand hygiene among the health care workers was conducted during March till May2021 in the settings of Shalamar and Central Park hospital and medical colleges. Results: The sample consisted of 271 participants with 110 males and 161 females, with the mean age of 24.72+ 4.174 years. The sample consisted of 36.2% of medical students, 49.1% of doctors and 14.8% of paramedical staff. Nearly 50.6% of the individuals claim to receive formal training. 47.6% believe that “Health-care workers’ hands when not clean” are the main route of cross-transmission. Nearly 57.2% believed that the hospital environment (surfaces)the most frequent source of germs. Comparison of hand-rubbing and washing revealed that major percentage believe hand rub to be rapid however less effective causing dryness. A majority believe that hand hygiene before touching the patient, immediately after exposure to body fluids or immediate surroundings of patients prevents transmission of germs to the patient and vice versa afterwards prevents transmission to HCW. Conclusion: A large proportion of the sample has considerable knowledge regarding essential hand hygiene in a health care setting. However more frequent training sessions should be conducted to improve it further. Key words: Hand hygiene, Health-care workers, Knowledge


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