Handwashing as a practice among healthcare workers at the Kaneshie Polyclinic, Accra

Abstract

Preventing and controlling of infections in the delivery of quality healthcare is very necessary as they lead to the protection of patients, the health worker as well as the general public. However the rate of hand washing with soap and water appears to be unacceptably low amongst health workers. The study examined hand washing as a practice among healthcare workers at the Kaneshie Polyclinic of the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. The study was a descriptive survey and the views of 100 respondents were sought through the administering of questionnaire. Primary and secondary sources of data collection method were used and data collected from the field was processed and analysed through the use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0. It was evident from the study that 64% of the respondents interviewed had more knowledge about hand hygiene. Amid Covid-19, 56% of the respondents believe that wearing protective gloves instead of washing hands is the most effective step for controlling any infections. Fifty six percent of the participants were of the opinion that the hands should be washed first thing in the morning and 55% of the respondents were quite divided with regards to washing of hands with soap under running water. 88% of the respondents strictly followed the WHO‘s guidelines on hand hygiene due to the training and awareness exercise given them by polyclinic managers. However, the study concludes that improving and providing facilities and resources for practicing hand hygiene may play a critical role in increasing the knowledge, attitudes and practices of hand washing among healthcare workers at the Kaneshie Polyclinic and also regular and intensive training and awareness exercise by the polyclinic managers may be a key factor for hand washing compliance. It is therefore recommended that Polyclinic managers through the Ghana health service should provide health workers the needed resources required for strict compliance to the WHO‘s guidelines for hand hygiene