Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026
A Method to Test the Efficacy of Handwashing for the Removal of Emerging Infectious Pathogens
Published on: June 7, 2017
Attitudes and perceptions toward hand hygiene among healthcare workers caring for critically ill neonates
Carmem Lucia Pessoa-Silva1, Klara Posfay-Barbe, Riccardo Pfister
1Infection Control Program, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
Insights
Healthcare workers’ intention to practice proper hand hygiene is influenced by their perceived control over difficulty and their superiors' valuation of the practice. Improving these factors can enhance compliance in neonatal intensive care units.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare-associated infections
- Neonatal intensive care units
- Infection prevention and control
Background:
- Infectious complications are common in critically ill neonates.
- Hand hygiene is crucial for preventing healthcare-associated infections but compliance is often poor.
- Effective hand hygiene promotion requires addressing healthcare workers' attitudes and personal factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify beliefs and perceptions linked to the intention to comply with hand hygiene protocols among neonatal healthcare workers.
- To explore factors influencing hand hygiene compliance in the neonatal setting.
Main Methods:
- An anonymous questionnaire based on the theory of planned behavior was administered to 80 neonatal healthcare workers.
- The survey assessed intention to comply, attitudes, perceived norms, and perceived difficulty of hand hygiene.
- Multivariate logistic regression identified independent predictors of positive intention to comply.
Main Results:
- A 76% response rate was achieved (61 participants: 49 nurses, 12 physicians).
- Intention to comply with hand hygiene was significantly associated with perceived control over the difficulty of performing the task (OR, 3.12) and positive perception of superiors' valuation of hand hygiene (OR, 2.89).
Conclusions:
- Perceived controllability over hand hygiene difficulty is a key factor influencing compliance.
- The perceived value of hand hygiene by superiors significantly impacts healthcare workers' intention to comply.
- Interventions should focus on enhancing perceived control and emphasizing the importance of hand hygiene by leadership.
Background:
Infectious complications are frequent among critically ill neonates. Hand hygiene is the leading measure to prevent healthcare-associated infections, but poor compliance has been repeatedly documented, including in the neonatal setting. Hand hygiene promotion requires a complex approach that should consider personal factors affecting healthcare workers' attitudes.
Objective:
To identify beliefs and perceptions associated with intention to comply with hand hygiene among neonatal healthcare workers.
Methods:
An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire (74 items) based on the theory of planned behavior was distributed to 80 neonatal healthcare workers to assess intention to comply, attitude toward hand hygiene, behavioral and subjective norm perceptions, and perception of difficulty to comply. Variables were assessed using multi-item measures and answers to 7-point bipolar scales. All multi-item scales had satisfactory internal consistency (alpha > 0.7). Multivariate logistic regression identified independent perceptions or beliefs associated with a positive intention to comply.
Results:
The response rate was 76% (61 of 80). Of the 49 nurses and 12 physicians responding, 75% believed that they could improve their compliance with hand hygiene. Intention to comply was associated with perceived control over the difficulty to perform hand hygiene (OR, 3.12; CI95, 1.12 to 8.70; P = .030) and a positive perception of how superiors valued hand hygiene (OR, 2.89; CI95, 1.08 to 7.77; P = .035).
Conclusion:
Our data highlight the importance of the opinions of superiors and a strong perceived controllability over the difficulty to perform hand hygiene as possible internal factors that may influence hand hygiene compliance.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Hand hygiene
Hand washing...
01:15Handwashing III: During the Procedure and Post-Procedure Steps
01:26Standard Precaution
Hand hygiene is the most crucial means to prevent the transmission of disease. Employers are legally required to provide their workers with personal protective equipment (PPE) to minimize exposure or contact with...
01:22Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
01:18Handwashing I: Introduction and Types of Equipment
Hand wash basins in clinical areas should have faucets that can be turned on and off without using the hands; that is, they should be non-touch or lever-operated.
01:08Obedience