Qualitative study on perceptions of hand hygiene among hospital staff in a rural teaching hospital in India.
BACKGROUND
Hand hygiene is a simple but underutilized measure to control healthcare-associated infections.


OBJECTIVE
To explore staff perceptions of hand hygiene using focus group discussions (FGDs) in a teaching hospital in India.


METHODS
Qualitative study. The FGD guide included questions on transmission of infections, hand hygiene practices and problems with implementation, and ways to improve adherence to hand hygiene recommendations. The FGDs were recorded, transcribed verbatim, translated into English (when conducted in Hindi) and analysed using content analysis.


RESULTS
Two themes emerged: 'inter-relationship of knowledge, beliefs, motivation, practices and needs' and 'roles and responsibilities for sustainable and efficient implementation of context-relevant approaches and interventions'. Staff were generally aware of the importance of hand hygiene for the prevention of healthcare-associated infections, but perceived practical problems with implementation.


CONCLUSIONS
The staff suggested various interventions and appeared to be prepared to follow hand hygiene guidelines if the hospital provided the necessary facilities.
Department of Community Medicine, R.D. Gardi Medical College, Ujjain, India.
S C
SC
Joshi
V
V
Diwan
A J
AJ
Tamhankar
R
R
Joshi
H
H
Shah
M
M
Sharma
A
A
Pathak
R
R
Macaden
C
C
Stålsby Lundborg
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006235:Hand Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012424:Rural Population; D055815:Young Adult