title: A comparison of the hand hygiene knowledge, beliefs and practices of Italian nursing and medical students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper reports a study examining the hand hygiene knowledge, beliefs and practices of Italian nursing and medical students with the aim of informing undergraduate curricula.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  In comparison with registered nurses, physician status is a risk factor for non-compliance with hand hygiene guidelines. Little research has been conducted to determine if differences between the professions in relation to hand hygiene are apparent at the undergraduate level. Cross-disciplinary studies that may provide an insight into this topic are lacking.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire was administered to a convenience sample of 117 nursing and 119 medical students in a large university in Rome, Italy, to determine their hand hygiene knowledge, beliefs and practices. The data were collected in 2007-2008.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nursing students' hand hygiene knowledge (F = 9·03(1,230); P = 0·003), percentage compliance (Z = 6·197; P < 0·001) and self-reported hand hygiene practices (F = 34·54(1,230); P < 0·001) were significantly higher than that of medical students. There were no statistically significant differences between hand hygiene beliefs. Mean scores on the knowledge questions were low for both groups, reflecting primarily a knowledge deficit in relation to the use of alcohol-based hand rubs to decontaminate hands in the healthcare setting.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Statistically significant disciplinary differences in hand hygiene knowledge and self-reported practices were apparent among undergraduate Italian healthcare students. Further research is needed to determine the causative factors. The overall low scores on the knowledge items indicate that these students require further education on hand hygiene, particularly in relation to the use of alcohol-based hand rubs.
authors: Southern Cross University, Lismore, New South Wales, Australia. tvandemo@scu.edu.au
authors: Thea F
authors: TF
authors: van De Mortel
authors: Stephen
authors: S
authors: Kermode
authors: Tomaso
authors: T
authors: Progano
authors: Julita
authors: J
authors: Sansoni
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D003479:Curriculum; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000592:standards*; D006235:Hand Disinfection / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D013337:Students, Medical; D013338:Students, Nursing; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult