Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Hand Hygiene among Primary Health Care Workers in Bauchi LGA, Bauchi State, Nigeria
Fatima Ibrahim Isah
Faculty of Health Sciences, National Open University of Nigeria, Bauchi Study Centre, Nigeria.
Aliyu Muhammad Maigoro *
Department of Community Medicine, Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital Azare, Bauchi State, Nigeria and Department of Public Health, Sa’adu Zungur University, Bauchi State, Nigeria.
Khadija Usman Ibrahim
Faculty of Health Sciences, National Open University of Nigeria, Bauchi Study Centre, Nigeria and Department of Community Medicine, Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital Azare, Bauchi State, Nigeria.
Usman Sunusi Usman
Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Yobe State University Damaturu, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Hand hygiene is a fundamental infection-prevention measure, but effective practice depends on healthcare workers’ knowledge, attitudes, available resources, and routine compliance.
Aim: This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of hand hygiene among primary healthcare workers in Bauchi LGA, Bauchi State, Nigeria.
Study Design: A descriptive cross-sectional survey using a mixed-methods approach.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in selected Primary Health Care Centres in Bauchi LGA, Bauchi State, Nigeria, between August 2025 and May 2026.
Methodology: A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining a cross-sectional descriptive design with a quantitative survey of 338 primary healthcare workers and 12 in-depth interview sessions for the qualitative component. Data were analysed using SPSS Version 28 at a 5% significance level.
Results: Overall, 42.9% of respondents had good knowledge of hand hygiene, while 35.8% showed good practice. Although 78.1% accurately identified infection prevention as the main goal of hand hygiene, only 22.8% followed the WHO “Five Moments for Hand Hygiene”. Knowledge gaps (57.1%) and workload (43.8%) were the most frequently reported barriers to compliance. Attitudinal assessments showed a generally positive view towards hand hygiene (average mean score = 1.65). Logistic regression identified type of employment as a statistically significant predictor of hand hygiene practice (AOR = 1.9, p = 0.013).
Conclusion: Primary healthcare workers in Bauchi LGA, Nigeria, showed positive attitudes towards hand hygiene, but gaps in knowledge and low compliance with recommended practices remained. Improving ongoing training, ensuring regular access to hand hygiene supplies, and enhancing institutional monitoring are important for improving hand hygiene practices and reducing healthcare-associated infections in primary healthcare settings.
Keywords: Hand hygiene, healthcare workers, primary healthcare, knowledge, attitudes, practices, infection prevention, compliance, occupational workload