ACCESS AND UTILIZATION OF HAND HYGIENE PRACTICES AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS IN HOMABAY TEACHING AND REFERRAL HOSPITAL, HOMABAY COUNTY, KENYA.

Abstract

Prevention and control of infections are essential cornerstones of clinical care in all health care settings including medical learning institutions. (MOH IPC Guidelines,2010). The Centre for disease Control has outlined 7 standard precautions that apply to all patient care, regardless of suspected or confirmed infection status of the patient, in any setting where health care is delivered. which include hand hygiene practices, use of personal protective equipment, instrument processing, disposal of sharps, Instrument/Equipment processing, Cough etiquette, Patient placement and handling contaminated linen. Majority of healthcare workers at Homabay County teaching and referral hospital(HBCTRH) is largely composed of Medical students for example, a typical shift is composed mainly by nurse midwives (5.6 on average across the hospitals) and nursing students (average of 7.3) with an average of 1 intern and 0–1 Medical Officers or Clinical Officers present.Due to shortage of staff, Nurses, clinicians and doctors are often overworked and therefore lack the necessary time to adequately supervise hand hygiene practices among medical students.(Clarke E et al 2023). Some of the factors influencing Hand hygiene practices include Knowledge of hand hygiene practices in health care settings, Attitudes and Perceptions of medical students on hand hygiene practices, Gender disparities, Availability of equipment and one’s profession as either Nurse, Doctor or Clinical officer.