Impediments to Compliance with Hand Hygiene among Medical and Dental Students in Medical and Dental College

Introduction: Hand hygiene is the first line of defense and a cost-effective method for reducing healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) and antibiotic resistance. It is essential for healthcare professionals to have adequate knowledge regarding hand hygiene. Ensuring proper education of trainees is required as they are the healthcare providers of the future. Aim: To assess the impediments that both medical and dental trainees face in performing effective hand hygiene. Materials and Methods: The study questionnaire based on WHO’s concepts of "Five Moments for Hand Hygiene" and “Six Steps of Hand Hygiene” was sent to 225 participants from 2nd & 3rd MBBS and BDS courses. Associations between variables of interest were tested using the chi-square (χ2) test. Statistical analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 17. The p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Total 184 (81.9%) students from medical and 41(18.2%) from dental stream participated, 118 out of 225 were females and 107 were males. Out of 225, 175 (77.8%) participants used soap and water, 32 (14.2%) used hand rub. Also 98 out of 225 (43.6%) participants think that because of workload the steps of handwashing were missed. The various facilities like access to water, wash basin, soap, hand-rub, facilities for drying hands required for hand hygiene may be lacking as per 31.6% participants. It was noticed that 96 out of 225 (42.7%) use hand rub for less than 10 seconds duration, 86 (38.2%) for 11-20 seconds, 30 (13.3%) for 21-30 seconds while only 13(5.8%) used hand-rub for than 30 seconds. For performing handwash, 141 out of 225 (62.7%) used cloth towel, 62(27.6%) used paper-towel and 22(9.8%) used dryer for drying hands. 205 out of 225 (91.1%) participants think increasing the frequency of training and audits will help in improving the hand hygiene. Conclusion: Formal training in of hand hygiene needs to be incorporated in teaching at the undergraduate level which would ensure adequate and appropriate utilization of resources. Provision of adequate hand hygiene supplies, particularly soap and facilities for drying hands needs to be ensured. Key words: Healthcare associated infections, Hand rub, Hand wash, Undergraduate students.