HAND HYGIENE PRACTICE IN SABZEVAR HOSPITALS IRAN

Background and Infection in healthcare settings is considered a serious risk and protection of the personnel and clients against it is a priority. Therefore this study was conducted to investigate the hand hygiene practice in four treatment groups in Sabzevar hospitals in 2005. Methods and Materials: This deh1ive cross-sectional study was conducted among the hospital staff of Sabzevar hospitals in Sabzevar Iran. The study sample (Cl= 95%) with a 10% attrition rate was calculated to be 25 amounting to 100 in 4 groups who were selected through convenient sampling. Luisham Observation checklist was used for data collection. For data analysis ANOVA t-test Fisher’s test Chi-square and Tukey were used. The findings revealed that adherence to hand hygiene practice in internists was 34.4% in the surgical staff 21.3% in the intensive group 15.65% and in doctors 16.59%. Out of 1356 situations of hand hygiene practice only in 306 cases hand hygiene was practiced. In general the mean percentage for the four groups was 22.6%. In general the hand hygiene practice while taking care of patients is low and unsatisfactory.