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Park SY, Kim J, Lee E, Park S, Park JW, Yu SN, Kim T, Jeon MH, Choo EJ, Kim TH. Gender differences in psychosocial determinants of hand hygiene among physicians. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2024; 45:215-220. [PMID: 37791517 PMCID: PMC10877538 DOI: 10.1017/ice.2023.199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We investigated gender differences in psychosocial determinants that affect hand hygiene (HH) performance among physicians. DESIGN The survey included a structured questionnaire with 7 parts: self-assessment of HH execution rate; knowledge, attitude, and behavior regarding HH; internal and emotional motivation for better HH; barriers to HH; need for external reminders; preference for alcohol gel; and embarrassment due to supervision. SETTING The study was conducted across 4 academic referral hospitals in Korea. PARTICIPANTS Physicians who worked at these hospitals were surveyed. METHODS The survey questionnaire was sent to 994 physicians of the hospitals in July 2018 via email or paper. Differences in psychosocial determinants of HH among physicians were analyzed by gender using an independent t test or the Fisher exact test. RESULTS Of the 994 physicians, 201 (20.2%) responded to the survey. Among them, 129 (63.5%) were men. Male physicians identified 4 barriers as significant: time wasted on HH (P = .034); HH is not a habit (P = .004); often forgetting about HH situations (P = .002); and no disadvantage when I do not perform HH (P = .005). Female physicians identified pain and dryness of the hands as a significant obstacle (P = .010), and they had a higher tendency to feel uncomfortable when a fellow employee performed inadequate HH (P = .098). Among the respondents, 26.6% identified diversifying the types of hand sanitizers as their first choice for overcoming barriers to improving HH, followed by providing reminders (15.6%) and soap and paper towels in each hospital room (13.0%). CONCLUSION A significant difference in the barriers to HH existed between male and female physicians. Promoting HH activities could help increase HH compliance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se Yoon Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jaewoong Kim
- Department of Biomedical Systems Informatics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eunjung Lee
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sunghee Park
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea
| | - Jung-Wan Park
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Shi Nae Yu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Tark Kim
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea
| | - Min Hyok Jeon
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Eun Ju Choo
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Korea
| | - Tae Hyong Kim
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Kim J, Yu SN, Jeong YS, Kim JH, Jeon MH, Kim T, Choo EJ, Lee E, Kim TH, Park SY. Hand hygiene knowledge, attitude, barriers and improvement measures among healthcare workers in the Republic of Korea: a cross-sectional survey exploring interprofessional differences. Antimicrob Resist Infect Control 2023; 12:93. [PMID: 37674241 PMCID: PMC10483734 DOI: 10.1186/s13756-023-01296-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hand hygiene (HH) is a fundamental component of infection prevention and control in healthcare settings. This study aimed to identify knowledge, attitude, and barriers to HH according to occupational groups and strategies to increase the rate of HH compliance among healthcare workers (HCWs). METHODS This cross-sectional survey was conducted in July 2018 at four university-affiliated hospitals. The survey comprised seven parts with 49 items, including self-reported HH compliance, knowledge, attitudes, behaviours, barriers to HH, and improvement strategies. RESULTS A total of 1046 HCWs participated in the survey. The nursing group's self-reported HH compliance rate was the highest, followed by other HCWs and physicians. The scores regarding knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours regarding HH were the highest in the nursing group. The nursing group also had higher internal and emotional motivation scores. Physicians and nurses found HH the most challenging in emergencies, while other HCWs considered skin problems caused by HH products the most significant barrier. Among 12 improvement measures, approximately 20% of the respondents ranked "diversify types of hand sanitisers," "install soap and paper towels in each hospital room," and "change perception through various HH campaigns" as the top three priorities. The physician group deemed the timely reminder of HH compliance as the second most critical improvement measure. CONCLUSION Differences in knowledge, attitude and barriers hindering HH compliance and improvement plans were identified for each group. The findings suggest that targeted interventions tailored to the specific needs of different occupational groups may effectively improve HH compliance in healthcare settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaewoong Kim
- Department of Biomedical Systems Informatics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Yongin Severance Hospital, Centers for Digital Health, Yonsei University Health System, Yongin, Republic of Korea
| | - Shi Nae Yu
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeon Su Jeong
- Infection Control Team, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Hwa Kim
- Infection Control Team, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Hyok Jeon
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Tark Kim
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Ju Choo
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunjung Lee
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Hyong Kim
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Se Yoon Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04763, Republic of Korea.
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Lakoh S, Maruta A, Kallon C, Deen GF, Russell JBW, Fofanah BD, Kamara IF, Kanu JS, Kamara D, Molleh B, Adekanmbi O, Tavernor S, Guth J, Sagili KD, Wilkinson E. How Well Are Hand Hygiene Practices and Promotion Implemented in Sierra Leone? A Cross-Sectional Study in 13 Public Hospitals. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19073787. [PMID: 35409471 PMCID: PMC8997996 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19073787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) result in millions of avoidable deaths or prolonged lengths of stay in hospitals and cause huge economic loss to health systems and communities. Primarily, HAIs spread through the hands of healthcare workers, so improving hand hygiene can reduce their spread. We evaluated hand hygiene practices and promotion across 13 public health hospitals (six secondary and seven tertiary hospitals) in the Western Area of Sierra Leone in a cross-sectional study using the WHO hand hygiene self-Assessment framework in May 2021. The mean score for all hospitals was 273 ± 46, indicating an intermediate level of hand hygiene. Nine hospitals achieved an intermediate level and four a basic level. More secondary hospitals 5 (83%) were at the intermediate level, compared to tertiary hospitals 4 (57%). Tertiary hospitals were poorly rated in the reminders in workplace and institutional safety climate domains but excelled in training and education. Lack of budgets to support hand hygiene implementation is a priority gap underlying this poor performance. These gaps hinder hand hygiene practice and promotion, contributing to the continued spread of HAIs. Enhancing the distribution of hand hygiene resources and encouraging an embedded culture of hand hygiene practice in hospitals will reduce HAIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sulaiman Lakoh
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (G.F.D.); (J.S.K.); (J.B.W.R.)
- Department of Medicine, University of Sierra Leone Teaching Hospitals Complex, Freetown, Sierra Leone
- Sustainable Health Systems Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +232-78-287-492
| | - Anna Maruta
- World Health Organization Country Office, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (A.M.); (B.D.F.); (I.F.K.)
| | - Christiana Kallon
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (C.K.); (D.K.)
| | - Gibrilla F. Deen
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (G.F.D.); (J.S.K.); (J.B.W.R.)
- Department of Medicine, University of Sierra Leone Teaching Hospitals Complex, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - James B. W. Russell
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (G.F.D.); (J.S.K.); (J.B.W.R.)
- Department of Medicine, University of Sierra Leone Teaching Hospitals Complex, Freetown, Sierra Leone
| | - Bobson Derrick Fofanah
- World Health Organization Country Office, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (A.M.); (B.D.F.); (I.F.K.)
| | - Ibrahim Franklyn Kamara
- World Health Organization Country Office, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (A.M.); (B.D.F.); (I.F.K.)
| | - Joseph Sam Kanu
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (G.F.D.); (J.S.K.); (J.B.W.R.)
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (C.K.); (D.K.)
| | - Dauda Kamara
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Government of Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone; (C.K.); (D.K.)
| | - Bailah Molleh
- Sustainable Health Systems Sierra Leone, Freetown, Sierra Leone;
| | - Olukemi Adekanmbi
- Department of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200005, Nigeria;
- Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan 200005, Nigeria
| | - Simon Tavernor
- School of Medicine, University of Liverpool, Cedar House, Ashton Street, Liverpool L69 3GE, UK;
| | - Jamie Guth
- Global Health Connections, Center Barnstead, Barnstead, NH 03225, USA;
| | - Karuna D. Sagili
- International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), Southeast Asia Office, New Delhi 110016, India;
| | - Ewan Wilkinson
- Institute of Medicine, University of Chester, Countess Way, Chester CH2 1BR, UK;
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