[Hand washing at Fann hospital: investigation among health workers]

Handwashing is usually neglected in hospital settings. The objective of this study was to draw attention of health workers in Fann hospital as part of the prevention of hospital-acquired infections.

This study was carried out prospectively from April 26h to May 25th. An anonymous questionnaire was administered by 20 formed investigators to health workers, along with an inventory of available resources for hand washing in the study site allowing to collect the data by interview.

A total of 256 health workers were investigated. The mean age was 35.3 +/- 9.4 years [range = 20-71] with a sex ratio of 0.62. As for the education level, the secondary and university predominated. The concept of Manu carrying was ignored by 59.3% of the personnel. This proportion was higher among people with low education level. Possibility of resident and transitional floras in the hand was ignored by most of the investigated personnel. The hand washing technique to be applied while putting vesicle probe was ignored by 59% of the personnel, and 34% declared using hand towel to dry hands. Half of the personnel ignored that bread soap was not recommended. The availability of hydro alcoholic solutions was variable according to the hospital wards. The lavabo/bed ratio was 1/7 and was unacceptable.

In Fann hospital, the importance and the techniques of hand washing are not well known, that's why a training of the hospital's Personnel and an improvement of resources for handwashing are necessary for a good hospital's hygiene.