Handwashing knowledge and practice among nurses and Midwives for Infection prevention in neonatology at a selected district hospital

Abstract

Background: Health care workers‘ hands are the main route of cross transmission of harmful germs to the patient when they are not clean. The main way to reduce cross transmission is handwashing. That is why nurses and midwives need to have knowledge on handwashing, which will influence their best practice and adherence to infection control measures. Aim of the study: The present study aimed to evaluate handwashing knowledge and practices of nurses and midwives for infection prevention in neonatology at a selected district hospital. Research methodology: Quantitative approach using cross sectional descriptive study was used to describe the level of knowledge and practices of nurses and midwives on handwashing for infection prevention in neonatology. A total sample of 50 nurses and midwives working in maternity and neonatal unit was used. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data and out of 50 questionnaires distributed 50 were returned back completed. The data analysis was done using SPSS 20. The results demonstrated a mean knowledge of 78.09% and standard deviation (SD= 6.9), the mean score for practice was 71.27 (SD=19.6). Among 50 nurses and midwives who participate in the study 36 72% of respondents have good knowledge and 23 46% have good practice about handwashing. There was not association between demographic data and handwashing knowledge, the association was between the department of work and the practice of hand washing with the significant level of p= 0.012. However, the results did not show any relationship between hand washing knowledge and practice of nurses and midwives. Conclusion: This study recommends improvement in services training that may help to increase knowledge and practice among nurses and midwives on handwashing and future research.