Knowledge and practice about hand hygiene among medical and health science students in a clinical setting during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction

During the era of coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19), hand hygiene has become more essential than ever before. Poor knowledge and practice of hand hygiene medical and health science students lead to burdens hospitalized patients and increase cases in the intensive care unit.

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of medical and health science students in a clinical setting during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from June 1 to July 15/2021. A stratified sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Data were collected by using a self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. To explain study variables; frequency tables and percentages were used. Logistic regression analysis was used to see the association between independent and dependent variables.

Result

Out of the total 387 respondents; 18.3 % had poor knowledge, similarly; 64.1 % of them had poor practice about hand hygiene. Factors such as knowing hand hygiene guidelines (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.18, 95 % CI (0.09-0.34)) were significantly associated with poor knowledge of hand hygiene, whereas poor knowledge of hand hygiene (AOR = 0.65, 95 % CI (0.39–89)) was significantly associated with the poor practice of hand hygiene.

Conclusion

In this study participant, about 18.3% had poor knowledge, whereas 64.1% had poor practice about hand hygiene during the COVID-19 pandemic. Training about hand hygiene, and didn't know hand hygiene guidelines were found to have significantly associated with poor knowledge. Giving additional training, and initiating to read guidelines can improve the knowledge as well practice of participants towards hand hygiene.