| dc.description.abstract | Introduction:
Although Hand hygiene is recognized as the single most important factor in preventing the spread of infection and plays a key role in delivering safe patient care, more than 1.4 million patients worldwide are affected by HCAI (Leroy, 1992, WHO 2005). A research carried out in Lacor Hospital, Northern Uganda shows that the prevalence of hospital infections was 28% with more prevalence reported in surgery (47%) and Pediatric (21%) (Greco and Magembe, 2011).
Among medical students and Interns in major Hospitals in Uganda, it was found that 20.1% washed their hands always, 39.7% often was their hands, 32.5% rarely wash their hands and 0.8% never washed their hands at all (Kamulegeya et al, 2013). Hence, in spite of the fact that hand hygiene such as hand washing and hand disinfection removes more than 90% of the transient, it is poorly performed among healthcare staff (Chudleigh 2005).
Methodology:
We used a cross-sectional study of hand hygiene practices and influencing factors. Quantitative and qualitative methods of inquiry were used for the study. A total number of 75 samples were selected randomly to participate in the study.
Results:
The result shows that 90.8% do practice other hand hygiene practices other than hand washing, 50.8% wash their hands after every procedure 62.3% commonly uses gloves and hand gel. The result also shows that there are no guideline (70.8%) on hand hygiene at the Institute. Majority (72.3%) reported that the sinks (hand washing facilities) are available and 81.5% said the sinks are functional while similarly 81.5% reported that they are provided with soap and other detergents for hand washing.
Conclusion:
Hand hygiene practices are being done by the majority of the staff, Soap and detergents are provided although the supplies are irregular, there is no hand hygiene guideline in place, and the institute lacks infection control committee.
Recommendations:
Hand washing facilities should be increased, provide supplies such as soap and detergents, Infection control guidelines should be put in place and made accessible to all staff, and form Infection control committee. | en_US |
