Hand hygiene practices among community Health Officers in Rivers State, Nigeria.
BACKGROUND
Health care associated infections are most commonly transmitted by the hands of Health care workers and other hospital personnel.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate compliance with hand hygiene guidelines and methods of hand hygiene practice among community health officers in Rivers State Nigeria.


METHODS
Self administered questionnaires were distributed to 68 community health officers. The questionnaires consisted of 19 items which contained information on bio-demographic characteristics and hand hygiene practices. Data were analysed using SPSS-16 statistical software. Proportions were compared using Chi- square test and 'p' value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.


RESULTS
The response rate was 97.1%. There were 11 (16.7%) males and 55 (83.3%) females with a male to female ratio of 1: 5. The age of the participants ranged from 28-56 years with a mean age of 39.7±6.7. Washing of hands before and after contact with patient was 60.1% and 97% respectively. The difference was significant (p<0.01). Allergy to gloves was 15.2%. About three-quarter (77.3%) of the workers used soap and water to wash the hands when soiled or visibly contaminated. None of the workers used alcohol hand rub.


CONCLUSIONS
Though there was improved compliance to hand hygiene guidelines, this still fall short of acceptable standards. The provision and promotion of the proper use of alcohol-based hand rub may further improve compliance with hand hygiene by reducing the time required to perform it and the convenience of the method.
Department of Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Choba Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
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Braimoh
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Udeabor
D000328:Adult; D003150:Community Health Workers; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D063373:Hand Hygiene / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Alcohol; Community health officers; Hand hygiene