Health Care : Current Reviews

Iranian healthcare workers perspective on hand hygiene: A qualitative study

3^rd Indo-Global Summit & Expo on Healthcare

October 05-07, 2015 New Delhi, India

Saman Farahangiz, Mary-Louise McLaws, Charles J Palenik and Mehrdad Askarian

Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Health Care: Current Reviews

Abstract:

Hand hygiene (HH) has been identified as one of the simplest but most important methods to prevent cross-infection in healthcare facilities. In spite of this fact, the HH compliance rate remains low among healthcare workers (HCWs). Several factors may affect HH behavior. In this study, we aimed to assess various aspects of HH from the perspective of HCWs. This qualitative study was conducted in two hospital settings in Shiraz, Iran. Eight focus group discussions (FGDs) and six indepth interview sessions were held with ICU and surgical ward nurses, attending physicians, medical and nursing students and supporting staff. Each FGD and interview was transcribed verbatim, open codes were extracted and thematic analysis was conducted. Three themes emerged from the thematic analysis including: �??The relationship between personal factors and HH compliance�?�, �??The relationship between environmental factors and HH compliance�?� and �??The impact of the health system on HH adherence, including the role of adequate health systems, administrative obligations and the effect of surveillance systems�?�. Several factors played a significant role in improving HCWs HH compliance such as the regular adherence to health system tenets. HH compliance may be improved through application of realistic policies and better supervision. In addition, appropriate education may positively affect HH behavior and attitudes.

Biography :

Saman Farahangiz has obtained her Medical Degree (MD) from Shahid Beheshti Medical School, Iran in 2007. She has completed her Post-Doctoral Training as a Community and Preventive Medicine Resident during 2011-2014 from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. She was ranked Sixth in Iran’s Board of Community Medicine Specialty. She has published four original articles in reputed journals. She is currently the Research Manager of Master of Public Health (MPH) department of Shiraz Medical School.

Email: farahangiz@sums.ac.ir