Preventive Care in Nursing and Midwifery Journal
Volume 15, Issue 3 (7-2025)
Prev Care Nurs Midwifery J 2025, 15(3): 3-13 |
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Abdulhasan K A, Al-Doori N M, Valiee S. Predictors of hand hygiene adherence: A cross-sectional study of nurses in babylon, iraq. Prev Care Nurs Midwifery J 2025; 15 (3) :3-13
URL: http://nmcjournal.zums.ac.ir/article-1-994-en.html
URL: http://nmcjournal.zums.ac.ir/article-1-994-en.html
Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences , sinavaliee@yahoo.com
Abstract: (520 Views)
Background: Hand hygiene is the most effective method for preventing infections, and nurses’ adherence to hygiene practices plays a vital role in patient safety.
Objectives: This study aimed to assess hand hygiene adherence and its related factors among nurses in hospitals in Babylon City, Iraq, in 2025.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 150 nurses working in teaching hospitals in Babylon. Convenience sampling was used, and data were collected using a demographic form, a self-report questionnaire based on the WHO’s “My Five Moments for Hand Hygiene,” and a perceived factors questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS v.23 through independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and logistic regression tests, with significance set at p < 0.05.
Results: The mean age of nurses was 27.91 (SD=4.4) years, and most were female (82.7%). Over half had attended infection control (53.3%) and hand hygiene training (59.3%) courses. About 51.3% had a moderate level of knowledge about infection control. Adherence to hand hygiene varied by situation, being highest after exposure to body fluids (90.7%) and after patient contact (86.7%), and lowest before patient contact (66.7%).
Conclusion: Hand hygiene adherence was lower in preventive moments, with physical and organizational barriers identified as key challenges. Comprehensive interventions—reducing workload, ensuring access to skin-compatible antiseptics, and providing targeted education—are essential to enhance preventive behavior, improve compliance, and promote patient safety.
Objectives: This study aimed to assess hand hygiene adherence and its related factors among nurses in hospitals in Babylon City, Iraq, in 2025.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 150 nurses working in teaching hospitals in Babylon. Convenience sampling was used, and data were collected using a demographic form, a self-report questionnaire based on the WHO’s “My Five Moments for Hand Hygiene,” and a perceived factors questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS v.23 through independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and logistic regression tests, with significance set at p < 0.05.
Results: The mean age of nurses was 27.91 (SD=4.4) years, and most were female (82.7%). Over half had attended infection control (53.3%) and hand hygiene training (59.3%) courses. About 51.3% had a moderate level of knowledge about infection control. Adherence to hand hygiene varied by situation, being highest after exposure to body fluids (90.7%) and after patient contact (86.7%), and lowest before patient contact (66.7%).
Conclusion: Hand hygiene adherence was lower in preventive moments, with physical and organizational barriers identified as key challenges. Comprehensive interventions—reducing workload, ensuring access to skin-compatible antiseptics, and providing targeted education—are essential to enhance preventive behavior, improve compliance, and promote patient safety.
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Knowledge Translation Statement
Audience: Nursing managers, infection prevention and control (IPC) officers, and hospital administrators
Individual factors like knowledge and attitude, alongside organizational factors such as workload and resource availability, are key predictors of hand hygiene adherence among nurses. To improve compliance, IPC programs must move beyond basic education to include regular audits with feedback, ensure consistent availability of alcohol-based hand rub at the point of care, and address systemic barriers like high workload to create a sustainable culture of safety.
Audience: Nursing managers, infection prevention and control (IPC) officers, and hospital administrators
Individual factors like knowledge and attitude, alongside organizational factors such as workload and resource availability, are key predictors of hand hygiene adherence among nurses. To improve compliance, IPC programs must move beyond basic education to include regular audits with feedback, ensure consistent availability of alcohol-based hand rub at the point of care, and address systemic barriers like high workload to create a sustainable culture of safety.
Type of Study: Orginal research |
Subject:
Nursing
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