Effectiveness of a hand hygiene training intervention in improving knowledge and compliance rate among healthcare workers in a respiratory disease hospital

BackgroundPracticing hand hygiene (HH) is a crucial element of infection control, with healthcare workers (HCWs) playing a vital role in preventing the spread of infection. However, inadequate knowledge and non-compliance to HH protocols pose significant challenges in healthcare settings. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an HH training intervention in enhancing knowledge and staff compliance within a respiratory disease hospital.MethodA pre-and post-training study was conducted among the healthcare workers in a respiratory disease treatment facility. The intervention comprised a series of 3-h training sessions conducted over five days, focusing on the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommended guideline "Your Five Moments For Hand Hygiene." These sessions covered proper HH techniques and underscored the repercussions of inadequate compliance. Educational materials related to HH were displayed in prominent locations throughout the facility. The knowledge levels and compliance rate were assessed before and after the intervention.ResultThe intervention significantly improved both HH knowledge levels and compliance rates among the participants. Marking a significant increase, the compliance rate of HH protocols increased from 66.0% to 88.3% during the pre-to post-training period, with a concurrent increase in the mean knowledge score from 68.6% to 78.9%.ConclusionThis study underscores the potential of training and education in elevating HH compliance and knowledge among healthcare workers. The findings advocate that healthcare facilities routinely incorporate such interventions into their infection control programs, ultimately improving patient and healthcare worker safety.