Work

Predictors of hand hygiene adherence: A cross-sectional study of nurses in babylon, iraq

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Hand hygiene is the most effective method for preventing infections, and nurses' adherence to hygiene practices plays a vital role in patient safety.Objectives: This study aimed to assess hand hygiene adherence and its related factors among nurses in hospitals in Babylon City, Iraq, in 2025.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 150 nurses working in teaching hospitals in Babylon.Convenience sampling was used, and data were collected using a demographic form, a selfreport questionnaire based on the WHO's "My Five Moments for Hand Hygiene," and a perceived factors questionnaire.Data were analyzed using SPSS v.23 through independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and logistic regression tests, with significance set at p < 0.05.Results: The mean age of nurses was 27.91 (SD=4.4)years, and most were female (82.7%).Over half had attended infection control (53.3%) and hand hygiene training (59.3%) courses.About 51.3% had a moderate level of knowledge about infection control.Adherence to hand hygiene varied by situation, being highest after exposure to body fluids (90.7%) and after patient contact (86.7%), and lowest before patient contact (66.7%).Conclusion: Hand hygiene adherence was lower in preventive moments, with physical and organizational barriers identified as key challenges.Comprehensive interventions-reducing workload, ensuring access to skin-compatible antiseptics, and providing targeted education-are essential to enhance preventive behavior, improve compliance, and promote patient safety. Implications for Nursing and Midwifery Preventive Care Implement targeted training for male nurses, emphasizing hand hygiene before patient contact to strengthen preventive care. Reduce workload through balanced nurse-to-patient ratios and ensure constant availability of skinfriendly alcohol-based hand rubs at all care points.

Source: Preventive Care In Nursing and Midwifery Journal

DOI: 10.61882/pcnm.15.3.3

Authors: Kazem Abdulabbas Abdulhasan, Nuhad Mohammed Al-Doori, Sina Valiee

Institutions: Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, University of Babylon

Language: English

Topic: Infection Control in Healthcare

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: Kurdistan University Of Medical Sciences