A cross sectional study to assess the knowledge regarding hand hygiene among undergraduate medical students in Konkan, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Background Hands are the principal route of hospital acquired infections and proper hand hygiene can significantly reduce the risk of hospital acquired infections. Hand hygiene has also been recognized as an important public health measure in current pandemic of COVID 19. Therefore, this study was carried out to assess the knowledge regarding hand hygiene among undergraduate medical students who are the healthcare providers of future. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out among undergraduate medical students of 3rd year MBBS in a private medical college. The convenient sampling method was adopted for selection of students. The data was collected through email using “WHO hand hygiene knowledge questionnaire for health care workers”. The collected data was analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics using PRISM 8.0 trial version. Results Among the 82 study participants, 48 students had received formal training in hand hygiene in the last three years. Students had good knowledge of hand hygiene. The significant association was observed between receipt of formal training and hand hygiene knowledge in few aspects related to transmission of germs between the patient and health care workers. Conclusion Students showed overall good knowledge of hand hygiene and those who had received formal training earlier showed better knowledge in few aspects related to transmission of germs between the patient and health care workers. Incorporation of proper training program on hand hygiene is required in the undergraduate medical teaching to generate awareness and prevent health care associated infections.

Keywords

• Hand Hygiene, Hand Washing, Hand Rubbing, Knowledge, Formal Training