Hand hygiene compliance and its predictors among healthcare providers in primary healthcare settings in the Girawa District, Eastern Ethiopia

ABSTRACT Hands of healthcare workers are the most common vehicle for the transmission of healthcare-associated pathogens from patient to patient and within the healthcare environment. This study aimed to assess the level of hand hygiene compliance and its predictors among healthcare providers working in primary healthcare settings in the Girawa District, Eastern Ethiopia. A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from November 1 to December 1, 2023 among 398 randomly selected healthcare providers. Data summary statistics, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression models were used. Adjusted odd ratio, 95% confidence interval (95% CI), and p-value of <0.05 was used to identify predictors of hand hygiene compliance among healthcare providers. In this study, the overall hand hygiene compliance was 30.15% [95% CI (25.68–34.92)]. Being trained about hand hygiene, having a BSc degree, availability of handwashing facility setup in working room, knowledge about hand hygiene and having good hand hygiene were significantly associated with hand hygiene compliance. Limited knowledge and lack of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilitates have significant influences for health workers’ hand hygiene compliance. Hence, the primary healthcare settings should be equipped with adequate supply to all the basic hand hygiene facilities and build staff capacity in WASH through periodic training.