Self-Protection as a Driver for Hand Hygiene Among Healthcare Workers

Borg M. A., Benbachir M., Cookson B. D., Ben Redjeb S., Elnasser Z., Rasslan O., ...More

INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY, vol.30, no.6, pp.578-580, 2009 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 30 Issue: 6
  • Publication Date: 2009
  • Doi Number: 10.1086/597511
  • Journal Name: INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.578-580
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

A total of 2,725 healthcare workers in 8 Mediterranean countries replied to a self-assessment questionnaire that assessed their perceptions on hand hygiene. Responses revealed that rates of hand hygiene compliance before patient contact were significantly less than rates after patient contact (P < .001) and that use of soap and water was preferred over use of alcohol-based hand rub. These findings suggest that self-protection could be a major subliminal driver for performance of hand hygiene.