Hand Hygiene Compliance among Health Professionals at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre- Tanzania, A Hospital basedStudy

Authors

  • Alex P Alexander Department of Health, Social Welfare and Nutrition Services Same District Council, P.O BOX 138, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania Author
  • Alex P Alexander Public Health and Health Systems (PHDPHS) KCMC University, P.O BOX 2240 Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania Author
  • Alex P Alexander Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O BOX 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Author
  • Witness John Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O BOX 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Author
  • Gloria Sakwari Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O BOX 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47363/JSAR/2025(6)213

Keywords:

HH Compliance, HH Compliance Factors, Health Professionals, HAIs, IPC, KCMC

Abstract

Background: Contaminated hands of Health Professionals have a big role in the transmission of Hospital Acquired infections (HAIs). Identifying existing gap of hand hygiene compliance among health professionals is a key first step in developing a successful Infection Prevention and Control Program (IPC).In 2005, WHO launched the global patient safety challenge: “clean care is safer care campaign” and later on in 2009, introduced a cost-effective measure “my 5 moments for hand hygiene” to improve hand hygiene compliance among health professionals and decrease HAIs. However, compliance to hand hygiene remains low globally and worse in developing countries.

Study Objective: The study aimed to determine hand hygiene compliance and its associated factors among Health Professionals at a tertiary referral Hospital Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC).

Materials and Methods: Hospital based, descriptive cross-sectional study with quantitative approach conducted among health professionals at KCMC. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires to assess hand hygiene compliance to standard WHO guidelines direct observation was done by the researcher using WHO checklist to determine availability of functional hand hygiene facilities. Epi info version was used to enter data, then was exported to SPSS version 21 for analysis. Frequencies distribution, compliance proportion, Chi - square test; Multivariable analysis; OR, AOR, CI were conducted for analysis and presentation of the findings.

Results: All 427 participants consented for the study. Overall compliance of the hand hygiene was 193(45.2%). Almost all participants used running water 417(97.7%) and soap/Alcohol based hand rub for hand hygiene, 292 (68.4%) spent the time recommended for the hand hygiene as per WHO guideline and 426 (99.8%) uses available poster of hand hygiene as a reminder during hand washing while only 193 (45.2%) washed their hands before and after wearing gloves. There is significant association between poor hand hygiene compliance and misconception that wearing gloves removes the needs for hand by OR of 1.24 and AOR 1.7. Availability of 100% of functional hand hygiene facilities/infrastructures was directly observed by a researcher in all working wards/departments.

Conclusion and Recommendations: Despite effort put globally and National wise (Mikono salama campaign in Tanzania) the compliance of the hand hygiene among the health professionals is still low. A misconception that wearing gloves removes the needs for hand hygiene should be addressed through training and supervision so as to increase the hand hygiene practices. The Ministry of Health (MOH), PO-RALG and Hospital Management Team (HMT) needs to re-enforce Policy, Hospital guidelines and SOPs on hand hygiene. Similar study is recommended to be conducted in the Primary Healthcare (PHC) settings to address the compliance to standard hand hygiene techniques among health care professionals during before and after any medical procedure.

Author Biographies

  • Alex P Alexander, Department of Health, Social Welfare and Nutrition Services Same District Council, P.O BOX 138, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

    Department of Health, Social Welfare and Nutrition Services Same District Council, P.O BOX 138, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

  • Alex P Alexander, Public Health and Health Systems (PHDPHS) KCMC University, P.O BOX 2240 Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

    Public Health and Health Systems (PHDPHS) KCMC University, P.O BOX 2240 Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania  

  • Alex P Alexander, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O BOX 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

    Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O BOX 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

  • Witness John, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O BOX 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

    Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O BOX 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

  • Gloria Sakwari, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O BOX 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

    Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, P.O BOX 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

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Published

2025-04-28

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 4 (2025): Volume 6 Issue 4

Section

Articles