The barriers and facilitators to hand hygiene practices in Nigeria: A qualitative study: “There are so many barriers the barriers are limitless.”

Ataiyero, Yetunde; Dyson, Judith; Graham, Moira

Abstract

Background: Health care associated infections (HCAIs) are a global challenge and hand hygiene is the primary measure to reduce these. In developing countries, patients are between 2 and 20 times more likely to acquire an HCAI compared with developed countries. Estimates of hand hygiene in Sub-Saharan Africa suggests 21% concordance. There are few studies investigating barriers and facilitators and those published tend to be surveys. This study aimed to understand barriers and facilitators to hand hygiene in a hospital in Nigeria. Methods: A theoretically underpinned in-depth qualitative interview study with thematic analysis of nurses and doctors working in surgical wards. Results: There were individual and institutional factors constituting barriers or facilitators: (1) knowledge, skills, and education, (2) perceived risks of infection to self and others, (3) memory, (4) the influence of others and (5) skin irritation. Institutional factors were (1) environment and resources and (2) workload and staffing levels. Conclusions: Our study presents barriers and facilitators not previously reported and offers nuances and detail to those already reported in the literature. Although the primary recommendation is adequate resources, however small local changes such as gentle soap, simple skills and reminder posters and mentorship or support could address many of the barriers listed.

Citation

Ataiyero, Y., Dyson, J., & Graham, M. (2023). The barriers and facilitators to hand hygiene practices in Nigeria: A qualitative study: “There are so many barriers the barriers are limitless.”. American Journal of Infection Control, 51(3), 295-303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2022.10.013

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 24, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Feb 16, 2023
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Deposit Date: Feb 17, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 20, 2023
• Journal: American Journal of Infection Control
• Print ISSN: 0196-6553
• Electronic ISSN: 1527-3296
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 51
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 295-303
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2022.10.013
• Keywords: Infection prevention and control; Concordance; Theoretical domains framework; Sub-Saharan Africa; Developing countries
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4201876