KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF HAND HYGIENE AMONG DENTISTS AS A PREVENTION METHOD FROM COVID-19 IN AL QASSIM REGION, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Nader M. Elsayed Marei; Mohamed Tharwat Salama; Mohammed Ali Habibullah

doi:10.32553/ijmsdr.v4i9.672

Nader M. Elsayed Marei Lecturer, Department of Preventive Dentistry, College of Dentistry in Ar Rass, Qassim University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Mohamed Tharwat Salama Lecturer, Department of Preventive Dentistry, College of Dentistry in Ar Rass, Qassim University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Mohammed Ali Habibullah Assistant Professor, Department of Preventive Dentistry, College of Dentistry in Ar Rass, Qassim University

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32553/ijmsdr.v4i9.672

Keywords: COVID-19, Dentist, Hand hygiene, nowledge, Practices

Abstract

Aim: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of hand washing among dentists in Al Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia.

Materials and Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out by use of a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was based on WHO`s “Five Moments of Hand Hygiene Questionnaire” with a few notable changes.

Statistical Analysis: Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16 was used to analyze data. Results were displayed as counts and percentages.

Results: The level of knowledge of Hand Hygiene (HH) was found high in 52% and moderate in 37% of the participants, when in the attitude levels the majority of the participants i.e. 88% had high level of attitude and was moderate in 7% of respondents. Level of practices of Hand Hygiene was high in 61%, moderate in 37% and almost none (1.4%) of our participants were found with a low level of practices.

Conclusion: The population under study scored high on attitude when compared to practices and knowledge scores were the least. These points to the need for interventions for improving knowledge through regular workshops and continuing education. Since knowledge does not automatically translate into practices, emphasis on HH compliance must be laid. Planned interventions to improve compliance must be multidimensional which considers and includes administrative support, clinic ergonomics and design, timely HH supplies, periodic educational programs, reminders, process surveillance and employee feedback to achieve sustained improvements.

Keywords: COVID-19, Dentist, Hand hygiene, Knowledge, Practices.