Hand Hygiene Knowledge Among Eye Care Workers at an Eye Hospital in Nigeria

The aim of this article is to determine the knowledge of hand hygiene (HH) practices among eye care workers in a tertiary eye hospital in Nigeria.

This was a cross-sectional study of eye care workers at a tertiary eye hospital in Nigeria. Eye care workers, involved with clinical duties, responded to the WHO Hand Hygiene Knowledge questionnaire containing 24 multiple choice questions on HH knowledge. Each correct answer earned one point; zero was given for a wrong answer. Overall scores were expressed in percentage. An overall score of ≥75% was considered as good; 50-74% moderate; and <50% poor knowledge. Data analysis was with SPSS version 23.

Fifty-eight workers participated. Thirty-nine (67.2%) were females and 19 (32.8%) were males; the age range was 25-68 years; mean 39.6 ± 7.4 years. The average work experience was 15.3 ± 8.9 years; range 1-40 years. The mean knowledge score was 12.0 ± 2.9 (50%) which is moderate knowledge; range 3-18. Workers who had received training in HH had a significantly higher mean knowledge score than those who did not receive training (12.8 ± 2.3 vs. 11.3 ± 3.2; P = 0.04). There was no statistically significant association between knowledge of HH and age, sex, work experience, and professional category (P > 0.05).

HH knowledge of the eye care workers studied is sub-optimal. This has negative implication for hospital infection control. Eye care workers' knowledge of HH can be improved through formal training and frequent rehearsals.