A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF INTERVENTIONAL OUTCOMES ON HAND CONTAMINATION AND HAND WASHING PRACTICES AMONG THE HOSPITAL WORKERS OF A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE IN THE KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT

Abstract

Introduction: Hand hygiene is critical for controlling infections, particularly in healthcare settings where healthcare-associated infections pose a significant risk. This study addresses the need for ongoing monitoring of hand hygiene practices among hospital workers. The World Health Organization's "Clean Care is Safer Care" strategy provides a framework, emphasizing five key moments for hand hygiene. Hospital workers often harbour pathogens making proper hand washing crucial. Therefore the present study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of infection control intervention to improve compliance with hand washing and to evaluate the bacterial load on hands using a semi-structured, pre tested questionnaire and also laboratory test which is a sterile Test-tube with sterile 50ml peptone water among hospital workers in the tertiary care centre in Kanyakumari district.

Aims and Objectives:

1. To determine the effectiveness of hand washing practices and not practice among the hospital workers of a tertiary care hospital in Kanyakumari district.


2. To estimate the bacterial load on the hands of the hospital workers as a possible indicator of improvement post-intervention.

Materials and Methods: This is a Hospital-based interventional study, conducted at Kanyakumari Government Medical College & Hospital, total study participants involved is 110 hospital workers. The study comprised pre- and post-intervention phases, including educational training on hand washing. Statistical analysis is done using IBM SPSS software, Version 22. Paired samples t-tests is used to compare the results.

Results: Demographic characteristics provided insights into participant’s age, gender, experience and duty shifts. The intervention demonstrated significant improvements. Adherence to hand washing protocols, knowledge of hand washing steps and hand hygiene compliance rates substantially increased post-intervention.

Conclusion: The study concludes that the implemented intervention effectively enhanced hand hygiene practices among hospital workers. The findings contribute valuable insights for healthcare institutions aiming to reduce healthcare-associated infections. Continued emphasis on education, awareness, monitoring is crucial for sustaining and further improving hand hygiene practices, promoting a safer healthcare environment.