Knowledge and practice of nurses and midwives towards hand washing at Kampala International Teaching Hospital, Western Uganda

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Date
2017-04
Journal Title
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Publisher
Kampala International University, School of Health Sciences
Abstract
A cross sectional study was carried out at Kampala International Teaching Hospital, Western Uganda to assess the knowledge and practice of nurses and midwives towards hand washing. A descriptive design was employed and 30 (thirty) respondents were selected to the study using convenient sampling procedure. Data was collected using a questionnaire. At large, respondents were highly aware and knowledgeable about hand washing. For instance, all of the respondents 30 (100%) had ever heard about hand washing and understood it clearly, 30 (100%) reported possessing adequate knowledge about hand washing as well as most 20 (67%) being aware of the recommended procedure for effective hand washing. Furthermore, the majority 20(67%) reported that they had never received education and sensitization workshops on how to ensure effective hand washing. Furthermore, 12 (40%) respondents reported disinfectant as one of the necessities for effective hand washing, followed by 7 (23.3%) who mentioned water, 6 (20%) reported good hand washing practice while the least 5 (16.7%) reported hand washing facilities Respondents generally had poor practices towards hand washing and although most 20 (66.7%) regularly carried out hand washing. These poor practices were perhaps attributed to various factors including 20 (66.7%) were sometimes adequately provided with the equipment and resources to carry out effective hand washing, followed by 6 (20%) who were always provided with the equipment and resources while the least 4 (13.3%) were never provided with the resources and equipment. Results showed that 21 (87%) reported that the location of scrubbing facilities affected their hand washing practices while the least 4 (13%) said location of scrubbing facilities did not affect hand washing practices. In conclusion, the study found out that although respondents were aware and had adequate knowledge about hand washing, their practices towards hand washing were largely affected by various factors such as poor location of sinks, availability of running water and lack of CME among others
Description
A research report submitted to Uganda Nurses and Midwives Examination Board in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of a Diploma in Nursing
Keywords
Hand washing, Nurses and midwives, Kampala International Teaching Hospital
Citation