Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions towards Hand Hygiene Practice Amongst Students at a Nursing College in Lesotho
Background: Hands are critical vectors for microorganisms that cause healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Hand hygiene, being done the right way, at the right time, and being given the right priority in a healthcare setting is an effective strategy to reduce HAIs and associated costs. Different...
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MDPI AG
2024-10-01
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| Series: | Hygiene |
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| author | Malehlohonolo Ntaote Londele Tyeshani Olanrewaju Oladimeji |
| author_facet | Malehlohonolo Ntaote Londele Tyeshani Olanrewaju Oladimeji |
| author_sort | Malehlohonolo Ntaote |
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| description | Background: Hands are critical vectors for microorganisms that cause healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Hand hygiene, being done the right way, at the right time, and being given the right priority in a healthcare setting is an effective strategy to reduce HAIs and associated costs. Different strategies have been put in place to help improve hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers; amongst them, continuous training is advised at all levels of care. Aim: This study, focusing on nursing students, aimed to describe their knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions towards hand hygiene, highlighting their crucial role in maintaining health and preventing infections. Methods: This study was a quantitative cross-sectional study. One hundred and fourteen questionnaires were distributed; 103 were filled out and returned by willing students at Maluti Adventist College, thus a 90% response rate. Results: 62% (64) demonstrated moderate knowledge, all had positive attitudes, and 61% (63) had a positive perception towards hand hygiene. There was a significant (<i>p</i>-value = 0.012) association between knowledge and training. Conclusions and recommendations: These provide valuable input for enhancing the World Health Organization’s (WHO) hand hygiene multimodal strategy, the SAFE LIFE Clean YOUR HAND campaign, and healthcare workers’ teaching curriculum. All stakeholders should implement strategies that prioritize knowledge dissemination to promote effective hand hygiene practices among healthcare workers worldwide. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6e55812ed087432cbba76be512f7aa1c |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2673-947X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Hygiene |
| spelling | doaj-art-6e55812ed087432cbba76be512f7aa1c2025-08-20T02:00:34ZengMDPI AGHygiene2673-947X2024-10-014444445710.3390/hygiene4040033Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions towards Hand Hygiene Practice Amongst Students at a Nursing College in LesothoMalehlohonolo Ntaote0Londele Tyeshani1Olanrewaju Oladimeji2Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, P.O. Box 1421, East London 5200, Mthatha, South AfricaDepartment of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, P.O. Box 1421, East London 5200, Mthatha, South AfricaDepartment of Public Health, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, P.O. Box 60 Medunsa, Ga-Rankuwa, Tshwane 0204, South AfricaBackground: Hands are critical vectors for microorganisms that cause healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Hand hygiene, being done the right way, at the right time, and being given the right priority in a healthcare setting is an effective strategy to reduce HAIs and associated costs. Different strategies have been put in place to help improve hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers; amongst them, continuous training is advised at all levels of care. Aim: This study, focusing on nursing students, aimed to describe their knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions towards hand hygiene, highlighting their crucial role in maintaining health and preventing infections. Methods: This study was a quantitative cross-sectional study. One hundred and fourteen questionnaires were distributed; 103 were filled out and returned by willing students at Maluti Adventist College, thus a 90% response rate. Results: 62% (64) demonstrated moderate knowledge, all had positive attitudes, and 61% (63) had a positive perception towards hand hygiene. There was a significant (<i>p</i>-value = 0.012) association between knowledge and training. Conclusions and recommendations: These provide valuable input for enhancing the World Health Organization’s (WHO) hand hygiene multimodal strategy, the SAFE LIFE Clean YOUR HAND campaign, and healthcare workers’ teaching curriculum. All stakeholders should implement strategies that prioritize knowledge dissemination to promote effective hand hygiene practices among healthcare workers worldwide.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-947X/4/4/33knowledgeattitudesperceptionshand hygienenursing studentshealthcare associated infections |
| spellingShingle | Malehlohonolo Ntaote Londele Tyeshani Olanrewaju Oladimeji Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions towards Hand Hygiene Practice Amongst Students at a Nursing College in Lesotho Hygiene knowledge attitudes perceptions hand hygiene nursing students healthcare associated infections |
| title | Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions towards Hand Hygiene Practice Amongst Students at a Nursing College in Lesotho |
| title_full | Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions towards Hand Hygiene Practice Amongst Students at a Nursing College in Lesotho |
| title_fullStr | Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions towards Hand Hygiene Practice Amongst Students at a Nursing College in Lesotho |
| title_full_unstemmed | Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions towards Hand Hygiene Practice Amongst Students at a Nursing College in Lesotho |
| title_short | Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions towards Hand Hygiene Practice Amongst Students at a Nursing College in Lesotho |
| title_sort | knowledge attitudes and perceptions towards hand hygiene practice amongst students at a nursing college in lesotho |
| topic | knowledge attitudes perceptions hand hygiene nursing students healthcare associated infections |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-947X/4/4/33 |
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