Self-protection as a driver for hand hygiene among healthcare workers.
A total of 2,725 healthcare workers in 8 Mediterranean countries replied to a self-assessment questionnaire that assessed their perceptions on hand hygiene. Responses revealed that rates of hand hygiene compliance before patient contact were significantly less than rates after patient contact (P < .001) and that use of soap and water was preferred over use of alcohol-based hand rub. These findings suggest that self-protection could be a major subliminal driver for performance of hand hygiene.
Infection Control Unit, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta. michael.a.borg@gov.mt
Michael A
MA
Borg
Mohamed
M
Benbachir
Barry D
BD
Cookson
Saida Ben
SB
Redjeb
Ziad
Z
Elnasser
Ossama
O
Rasslan
Deniz
D
Gür
Ziad
Z
Daoud
Despo Pieridou
DP
Bagatzouni
D000438:Alcohols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006235:Hand Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D006920:Hygiene; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D019083:Mediterranean Region; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology; D012915:Soaps / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000438:Alcohols; D012915:Soaps