Awareness Regarding Hand Hygiene among Medical and Nursing Students and Paramedical Healthcare Staff of Tertiary Care Hospitals
Keywords:
Hand hygiene, Medical students, Nursing students, Paramedical staff, Compliance, Infection controlAbstract
Background: Despite strong evidence supporting hand hygiene as a critical intervention to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), adherence among healthcare workers remains suboptimal. This study assesses the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and institutional support related to hand hygiene among students and staff in tertiary care settings.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in July 2025 at NIMS University, Jaipur and Government Medical College, Greater Noida. A purposive sample of 260 participants—including MBBS students, nursing students, and paramedical staff—completed a structured Likert-scale questionnaire. The survey, based on validated instruments (SERVQUAL and BASiC QI), aligned with WHO hand hygiene guidelines and was organized into four domains. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS v26, while qualitative insights were explored thematically.
Results: Medical students demonstrated higher knowledge scores (mean: 16.7/26), though only 24% achieved a 'good' rating. Knowledge among nursing and paramedical staff was predominantly moderate (63.3%). Overall, 97.6% recognized hand hygiene as essential in preventing HAIs, yet actual compliance was reported by just 31% of participants. Nurses showed better adherence (63–77%) compared to medical students (16–35%) and paramedical staff (23%).
Conclusion: While attitudes toward hand hygiene were overwhelmingly positive, significant gaps persist in knowledge and routine practices, especially among medical students and paramedical personnel. Targeted educational interventions and systemic reinforcement are essential to bridge these gaps and improve compliance
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