Guerrero-Soler, María, Gras-Valentí, Paula, Gómez-Sotero, Isel L., Platas-Abenza, Guillermo, Silva-Afonso, Raissa de Fatima, Benito-Miralles, Carmen M., Fuster-Pérez, Marina, Cartagena-Llopis, Lidia, Sánchez-Valero, María, Sánchez-Payá, José, Chico-Sánchez, Pablo
Impact of COVID-19 on the degree of compliance with hand hygiene: a repeated cross-sectional study
Epidemiology & Infection. 2024, 152: e69. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0950268824000505
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10045/142258
DOI: 10.1017/S0950268824000505
ISSN: 0950-2688 (Print)
Abstract: 
Hand hygiene (HH) is the paramount measure used to prevent healthcare associated infections. A repeated cross-sectional study was undertaken with direct observation of the degree of compliance on HH of healthcare personnel during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Between, 2018-2019, 9,083 HH opportunities were considered, and 5,821 in 2020-2022. Chi squared tests were used to identify associations. The crude and adjusted odds ratios were used along with a logistic regression model for statistical analyses. Compliance on HH increased significantly (p < 0.001) from 54.5% (95% CI: 53.5, 55.5) to 70.1% (95% CI: 68.9, 71.2) during the COVID-19 pandemic. This increase was observed in four of the five key moments of HH established by the World Health Organization (WHO) (p<0.05), except at moment 4. The factors that were significantly and independently associated with compliance were the time period considered, type of healthcare-personnel, attendance at training sessions, knowledge of HH and WHO guidelines, and availability of hand disinfectant alcoholic solution in pocket format. Highest HH compliance occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting a positive change in healthcare-personnel’s behavior regarding HH recommendations.
Keywords:Healthcare associated infections, Hand hygiene, Degree of compliance, Health personnel, SARS-CoV-2
Cambridge University Press
info:eu-repo/semantics/article