Knowledge And Perceived Barriers About Hand Hygiene Among Interns In A Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital

Authors

Riddhi Soni, MGM Medical College, MGMIHS, Navi MumbaiFollow
Pradeep Jadhav (Corresponding author), MGM Medical College and Hospital, Nerul, MGMIHS, Navi MumbaiFollow
Rekha Mane, MGM Medical College, Vashi, MGMIHSFollow

Abstract

Purpose

Good hand hygiene is a significant factor in preventing hospital-acquired infections (HAI) and antibiotic resistance. The concepts of hand hygiene need to be evaluated among healthcare interns who are in the training stage.

Aim

To determine the knowledge of hand hygiene and associated barriers among dental, medical, and physiotherapy Interns.

Methods

A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 healthcare interns (50 each from Dentistry, Medicine, and Physiotherapy) selected using a 4-block randomization method. Participants who did not provide consent, undergraduate students, postgraduate residents, and faculty members were excluded. Data were collected using a structured survey comprising two sections: (1) knowledge of hand hygiene, assessed using WHO’s 25-item questionnaire, and (2) perceived barriers, evaluated through 14 yes/no questions adapted from previous studies. Knowledge scores were categorized as good (>75%), moderate (50–74%), or poor (<50%).

Results

The knowledge on hand hygiene was moderate in 67.3%, while only 12 % had good knowledge in the total study participants. Poor hand hygiene knowledge was noted in 20.7%, with the highest rate among Medical Interns, followed by Dental and Physiotherapy Interns. Overall, the physiotherapy interns had a higher frequency of better hand hygiene knowledge in comparison to the other two groups. Most common hand hygiene challenges retrieved were lack of soap and paper towels, followed by no formal hand hygiene training.

Conclusion

The current sub-optimal knowledge indicate that emphasis on the knowledge as well behavior of hand hygiene should be initiated in the form of educational intervention for improving concepts of hand hygiene among interns.

Author Bio(s)

Riddhi Soni is a MBBS graduate from MGM Medical College, Kamothe, Navi Mumbai

Pradeep Jadhav, MBBS, MD [Corresponding Author] is a Professor and Head in the Department of Pharmacology at the MGM Medical College, Nerul, Navi Mumbai (MGMIHS). He has inclination towards Basic and applied research. He holds international and national publications in indexed journals.

Rekha Mane (MBBS, MD) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anatomy at the MGM Medical College, Vashi, Navi Mumbai (MGMIHS). She has inclination towards research, applied anatomy and clinical genetics

Acknowledgements

All participants in this study are appreciated for their cooperation support.

Recommended Citation

Soni R, Jadhav (Corresponding author) P, Mane R. Knowledge And Perceived Barriers About Hand Hygiene Among Interns In A Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2025 Oct 15;23(4), Article 29.