Published Paper Details:

BACKGROUND Hand hygiene is crucial in healthcare settings for infection control and patient safety. It is a global health issue and the most cost-effective way to reduce infections and antimicrobial resistance. Hand hygiene is the act of cleaning one's hands with soap or handwash and water to remove viruses/bacteria/microorganisms, dirt, grease, or other harmful and unwanted substances stuck to the hands. Improving hand hygiene practices among healthcare workers can significantly reduce the incidence of HAIs. The WHO estimates that proper hand hygiene practices could prevent up to 50% of healthcare-associated infections. Guidelines for hand hygiene practice have been issued by World Health Organization (WHO) and Center for disease control and prevention (CDC, Atlanta) but lack of awareness among HCW result in poor compliance which could have serious aftereffects on a healthcare system. OBJECTIVES i. To assess the level of pretest-posttest knowledge regarding hand hygiene in prevention of infection among healthcare workers in selected hospitals of Guwahati, Assam. ii. To assess the level of pretest-posttest practice regarding hand hygiene in prevention of infection among healthcare workers in selected hospitals of Guwahati, Assam. iii. To determine the effectiveness of video assisted program regarding hand hygiene in prevention of infection by comparing pretest-posttest level of knowledge and practice among healthcare workers in selected hospitals of Guwahati, Assam. iv. To correlate the knowledge and practice regarding hand hygiene in prevention of infection among healthcare workers in selected hospitals of Guwahati, Assam. v. To find the association between knowledge and practice before video assisted program regarding hand hygiene in prevention of infection among healthcare workers with selected demographic variables. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Pre experimental one group pre-test post-test design was used in this study. Non probability convenience sampling technique was used for obtaining the adequate sample for the study. Study was undertaken on 100 healthcare workers working in selected hospitals of Guwahati, Assam. Healthcare workers were selected on the basis of inclusion criteria. Pre-test knowledge was checked using standardized knowledge questionnaire and practice was assessed using observational checklist. The post-test was conducted on the seventh day after the administration of video assisted programme in the same manner. RESULTS: Result showed that out of 100 health care worker, majority 44(47%) were in the age group of >40 years,59(59%) was male, 78 (78%) of the respondents were under metrics, 35(35%) were working in ICU, 64(64%) had worked for more than 2 years, 95(95%) had attended the training on hand hygiene, 100(100%) have alcohol based handrub practice. In pre-test knowledge, majority 61(61%) had inadequate knowledge with a mean knowledge score of 9.5 and SD 2.90. whereas in post-test knowledge, majority 77(77%) had adequate knowledge with a mean knowledge score of 22.26 and SD 3.70. In pre-test practice, majority 62(62%) had moderately adequate practice with a mean practice score of 10.46 and SD 2.74. whereas in pre-test practice, majority 51(51%) had moderately adequate practice with a mean practice score of 20.03 and SD 3.36. The calculated value of 'T' (4.71) was more than the tabulated value (1.98) at 0.05 level of significance for knowledge and the calculated value of 'T' (3.18) was more than the tabulated value (1.98) at 0.05 level of significance for practice which signifies that video assisted programme was effective in increasing the knowledge and practice for healthcare workers. The analysis depicted that there was significant association between pre-test knowledge regarding hand hygiene and education, settings and work experience, there was significant association between pre- test practice regarding hand hygiene. CONCLUSION: Based on the analysis of the findings of the study, the following inferences were drawn. There was evident increase in the knowledge and practice in all areas included in the study after the administration of video assisted program on hand hygiene. Thus, it was proved that the video assisted program was an effective teaching method for creating awareness on the importance of hand hygiene.