Knowledge, Attitude and Performance of Nursing Students Towards Hand Hygiene in Medical and Surgical Wards of Zanjan Teaching Hospitals in 2019 -2020

Healthcare-associated infections (or nosocomial infections) impose many health problems and costs on patients and hospitals. Hand hygiene compliance is one of the most effective ways to control and prevent the spread of nosocomial infections.

This study aims to investigate the knowledge, attitude and performance of nursing students towards hand hygiene in medical and surgery wards in Zanjan teaching hospitals, 2019.

The current descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 junior and senior undergraduate nursing students of Zanjan Nursing and Midwifery faculty who were selected based on convenience sampling. Students' knowledge and attitude on hand hygiene were assessed through a standard questionnaire recommended by the World Health Organization and a researcher–made one. The study has been conducted from 12.10.2019 to 9.02.2020. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and paired t-test by SPSS Software version 22.

 The results of the study demonstrated that 62% of students had moderate knowledge about hand hygiene. Based on the findings only 12% had a positive attitude to hand hygine.

Since the unfavorable knowledge and attitude of students about hand hygiene and also the unavailability of essential facilities for hand hygiene increase the risk of transmission of  healthcare associated infections by students, so to prevent cross-infection ,it is recommended to  improve facilities concerning  hand hygiene, training and supervision.