A STUDY ON HAND HYGIENE COMPLIANCE BY HOSPITAL STAFF AND INCIDENCE OF HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATED INFECTIONS IN KONASEEMA INSTITUTION OF MEDICAL SCIENCES AND RESEARCH FOUNDATION

Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a major public health concern, contributing to increased patient morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs [1]. Hand hygiene is recognized as the most effective measure for preventing the spread of infections in healthcare settings [2]. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in KIMS hospital analyzing hand hygiene compliance rates among healthcare workers over a 1-month period. HAI incidence data were collected concurrently, and statistical analysis was performed to assess the correlation between compliance rates and infection trends. Results: The study analyzed hand hygiene compliance among 100 healthcare professionals at Konaseema Institute of Medical Sciences and its association with healthcare-associated infection (HAI) rates. Results showed generally high compliance, with male participants exhibiting a slightly higher average compliance (91.2%) compared to females (89.5%), though males also had a notably higher infection rate (85%) than females (59.6%). By professional role, allied health professionals had the highest compliance (93.8%) and the lowest infection rate (50%), while nurses reported the lowest compliance (82.7%). Compliance varied across departments, with complete adherence (100%) observed in Anesthesia, Ortho, OBGYN, and SPM, while MBBS students showed the lowest compliance (84%) and higher infection rates (80%). Participants with less than one year of experience had a high compliance rate (90.4%) but also the highest infection rate (97.1%). Although statistical analysis indicated a negative correlation between hand hygiene compliance and infection rates, the association was not statistically signicant. These ndings suggest that while awareness and adherence to hand hygiene protocols are generally strong, infection prevention efforts must also address behavioral and contextual factors to effectively reduce HAI incidence. Conclusion: The ndings reinforce the critical role of hand hygiene in infection prevention [2]. Sustained efforts to improve compliance through education, monitoring, and institutional support are essential to reduce HAIs and promote safer healthcare environments [5].