ATITUDE AND KNOWLEDGE OF NURSES AND HEALTH ATTENDANCE TOWARDS HANDWASHING

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the Attitude and Knowledge of Nurses and Health Attendance Toward Handwashing at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (AFUTHA). Recognizing the critical role of hand hygiene in preventing healthcare-associated infections, this research evaluates the knowledge levels, attitudes, and compliance with handwashing protocols among healthcare staff, considering key influencing factors such as time constraints and availability of resources. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 200 participants, yielding 127 completed questionnaires. Data analysis revealed high levels of knowledge among respondents regarding hand hygiene practices, with over 85% demonstrating an understanding of essential techniques and protocols. The majority of healthcare workers displayed positive attitudes, with 87.4% agreeing on the importance of hand hygiene in patient care. However, practical challenges, particularly time constraints and limited accessibility to handwashing stations, emerged as significant barriers to consistent compliance. Hypothesis testing showed a positive correlation between knowledge, attitude, and compliance, with statistically significant associations for both knowledge level (p = 0.001) and attitude (p = 0.002) influencing adherence rates. The study concludes that while knowledge and attitudes toward hand hygiene are favorable, institutional adjustments, such as improving hand hygiene resources and optimizing workflows, are essential to address compliance barriers. Recommendations include increasing handwashing facilities, implementing regular training, streamlining workflows, and fostering a culture that emphasizes hand hygiene. This study contributes valuable insights for healthcare institutions aiming to enhance infection control and patient safety through better adherence to hand hygiene protocols.