The impact of different training methods on the hand hygiene beliefs and practices of future home caregivers: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Hand hygiene is a fundamental infection control practice. Effective training methods are needed to improve students' hand hygiene beliefs and behaviors, especially for future home caregivers.

Aim: This study evaluates the effects of different training methods on hand hygiene beliefs and practices of future home caregivers.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial with pre-test and post-test evaluations was conducted in 2023 with first-year university students in Türkiye. Of 87 participants, 75 completed the study (video group: 25, paint demonstration: 25, soap demonstration: 25). All received theoretical training, followed by practical sessions: video demonstration, acrylic paint demonstration, or soap and water demonstration. Data was collected using demographic and knowledge forms, Hand Washing Skills Checklist, Hand Hygiene Belief Scale, and Hand Hygiene Practice Inventory.

Results: All groups showed significant improvement from pre-test to post-test (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference in post-test Hand Hygiene Belief Scale mean scores among the groups; the Soap group (93.52) scored higher than the Video (90.24) and Paint (88.40) groups (H = 6.564, p = 0.038). Hand Washing Skills scores were highest in the soap group, followed by paint and video groups, but differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Different training methods had similar effects on hand hygiene skills, though soap demonstration was more effective for beliefs. Various training approaches may be beneficial, but further research is needed to determine the most effective method.