Compliance with hand-hygiene practice in the general reference hospitals of the city of Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo

peer reviewedIntroduction: the purpose of this study was to assess the compliance with hand-hygiene practice of health-care workers in the General Reference Hospitals (GRH) of the city of Kisangani and to identify factors contributing to it. Methods: we conducted a cross-sectional study in the Maternity, Surgery, Pediatric and Emergency Departments at four GRH of the city of Kisangani over the period 13th-20th June 2018. One hundred and twenty professionals recruited from among doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians and attendants were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire to assess their level of knowledge and a grid indicating the compliance with hand-hygiene practice in 44 health professionals (1920 opportunities). Results: the rate of overall compliance with hand-hygiene practice was 39% [CI95 0.37; 0.41]; friction with hydroalcoholic solution was much less frequent (5%); cleaners and physicians had higher compliance rates (49% and 44% respectively) than nurses (33%). Approximately one third of professionals were aware of the indications for hand-hygiene according to the WHO; 37% of health professionals declared that they had followed a on-the-job training on hand-hygiene and 36% knew the importance of hand-hygiene in the healthcare environment. The gap in knowledge was not significant between the occupational categories studied (p >0.05). Conclusion: this study and the results obtained from it allowed us to conclude that the level of compliance to precautions standards including hand hygiene by healthcare professionals is insufficient. It is therefore necessary to strengthen the compliance with hand-hygiene practices through training and awareness programs for healthcare professionals, the supply of hygiene products and the awareness of healthcare providers. © Eugène Basandja Longembe et al