Yetunde Ataiyero1, Judith Dyson2, Moira Graham2. 1. School of Health and Social Work, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Y.O.Ataiyero@2015.hull.ac.uk. 2. School of Health and Social Work, University of Hull, Hull, United Kingdom.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hand hygiene (HH) is the primary measure in the prevention of health care-associated infections; however, from published studies, compliance of health care workers (HCWs) to HH guidelines is low. There is currently no review on HH compliance rates in developing countries, specifically sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), or the barriers to compliance. We therefore, through a narrative review, sought to identify the compliance with and the barriers to HH in SSA. METHODS: From 3 databases, we performed a search of peer-reviewed studies from SSA, conducted among HCWs, published in the English language between 2005 and 2017. Only studies that reported HH compliance and/or barriers were included. RESULTS: A total of 278 articles were identified, and the final sample of 27 articles was analyzed in full length. Overall, the HH compliance rate was estimated to be 21.1%, and doctors had better compliance irrespective of the type of patient contact. The main barriers identified were heavy workload, infrastructural deficit (eg, lack of water, soap, hand sanitizers, and blocked/leaking sinks), and poorly positioned facilities. CONCLUSIONS: HH compliance is poor among SSA HCWs. There is a need for more reports of HH compliance in SSA, and emphasis needs to be placed on surgical wards in which surgical site infections-the most common form of health care-associated infections in SSA-are most likely to occur. Barriers identified in this review are consistent with the findings of studies conducted elsewhere; however, it appears that heavy workload, infrastructural deficit, and poorly positioned facilities are more likely in developing countries.
BACKGROUND: Hand hygiene (HH) is the primary measure in the prevention of health care-associated infections; however, from published studies, compliance of health care workers (HCWs) to HH guidelines is low. There is currently no review on HH compliance rates in developing countries, specifically sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), or the barriers to compliance. We therefore, through a narrative review, sought to identify the compliance with and the barriers to HH in SSA. METHODS: From 3 databases, we performed a search of peer-reviewed studies from SSA, conducted among HCWs, published in the English language between 2005 and 2017. Only studies that reported HH compliance and/or barriers were included. RESULTS: A total of 278 articles were identified, and the final sample of 27 articles was analyzed in full length. Overall, the HH compliance rate was estimated to be 21.1%, and doctors had better compliance irrespective of the type of patient contact. The main barriers identified were heavy workload, infrastructural deficit (eg, lack of water, soap, hand sanitizers, and blocked/leaking sinks), and poorly positioned facilities. CONCLUSIONS: HH compliance is poor among SSA HCWs. There is a need for more reports of HH compliance in SSA, and emphasis needs to be placed on surgical wards in which surgical site infections-the most common form of health care-associated infections in SSA-are most likely to occur. Barriers identified in this review are consistent with the findings of studies conducted elsewhere; however, it appears that heavy workload, infrastructural deficit, and poorly positioned facilities are more likely in developing countries.
Authors: Lucy K Tantum; John R Gilstad; Fatorma K Bolay; Lily M Horng; Alpha D Simpson; Andrew G Letizia; Ashley R Styczynski; Stephen P Luby; Ronan F Arthur Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-08-14 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Sulaiman Lakoh; Emmanuel Firima; Christine Ellen Elleanor Williams; Sarah K Conteh; Mohamed Boie Jalloh; Mohamed Gbeshay Sheku; Olukemi Adekanmbi; Stephen Sevalie; Sylvia Adama Kamara; Mohamed Akmed Salim Kamara; Umu Barrie; Gladys Nanilla Kamara; Le Yi; Xuejun Guo; Chukwuemeka Haffner; Matilda N Kamara; Darlinda F Jiba; Enanga Sonia Namanaga; Anna Maruta; Christiana Kallon; Joseph Sam Kanu; Gibrilla F Deen; Mohamed Samai; Joseph Chukwudi Okeibunor; James B W Russell Journal: Trop Med Infect Dis Date: 2021-11-29