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Barriers to hand hygiene practices among health care workers in sub-Saharan African countries: A narrative review

Ataiyero, Yetunde; Dyson, Judith; Graham, Moira

Authors

Yetunde Ataiyero

Judith Dyson

Profile image of Moira Graham

Dr Moira Graham M.Graham2@hull.ac.uk
Lecturer in Public Health / Pathway Leader for Health Visiting



Abstract

Background: Hand hygiene (HH) is the primary measure in the prevention of healthcare associated infections though from published studies,compliance of healthcare workers to HH guidelines is low. There is currently no review on HH compliance rate in developing countries,specifically Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) or the barriers to compliance. We therefore, through a narrative review sought to identify HH compliance rate and the barriers to compliance in SSA region. Methods:From three databases,we performed a systematic search of peer-reviewed studies from SSA,conducted among healthcare workers,published in English language and between 2005 and 2017.Only studies that reported HH compliance and/or barriers were included. Results:A total of 278 articles were identified and final sample of 27 analyzed in full length.Overall HH compliance rate was 21.1% and doctors had better compliance irrespective of the type of patient contact.The main barriers identified were heavy workload, infrastructural deficit (e.g. lack of water, soap and hand sanitizers) and poorly positioned facilities. Conclusion: HH compliance is poor among SSA healthcare workers.There is need for more reports of HH compliance in SSA and studies need to report the process of observation to allow replication of methods.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.

Citation

Ataiyero, Y., Dyson, J., & Graham, M. (2019). Barriers to hand hygiene practices among health care workers in sub-Saharan African countries: A narrative review. American Journal of Infection Control, 47(5), 565-573. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2018.09.014

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Oct 1, 2018
Online Publication Date Nov 20, 2018
Publication Date 2019-05
Deposit Date Nov 6, 2018
Publicly Available Date Nov 21, 2019
Print ISSN 0196-6553
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 47
Issue 5
Pages 565-573
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2018.09.014
Keywords Hand hygiene; Barriers; Facilitators; Sub-Sahara Africa; Healthcare Workers
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/1145866
Publisher URL https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S019665531830943X?via%3Dihub
Contract Date Nov 6, 2018

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