RESEARCH JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND TECHNOLOGY

Context: Multidrug Resistant (MDR) organisms transmitted through the hands of Health Care Workers (HCWs) are a major cause of Health Care-Associated Infections (HCAI). Practicing hand hygiene and knowledge regarding the same is essential for reducing HCAI and drug resistance. Aims: To determine the frequency and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of microorganisms in the isolates from the hands of HCWs and to assess the extent of knowledge regarding hand hygiene among HCWs. Settings and Design: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the Department of Microbiology in association with clinical departments for a period of two months. Methods: Glove juice samples were obtained from the hands of 94 HCWs. Bacterial isolates were subjected to Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing. Knowledge about hand hygiene was assessed using WHO Hand Hygiene Questionnaire for HCWs (revised August 2009). Statistical analysis used: SPSS software Version 17. Results: Bacterial growth was observed in 33% of the study population. The most common was Staphylococcus aureus (10.6%) followed by CONS (7.4%), Aerobic Spore Bearing bacilli (3.2%), E.coli (3.2%), Pseudomonas spp (1.1%) and Acinetobacter spp (1.1%). Prevalence of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus was 6.4%. Formal training on hand hygiene practices was received by 67% of HCWs in the last 3 years. Good level of knowledge was found among 7 medical (77.77%) and 2 (22.2%) paramedical staff. Conclusions: The most predominant MDR organism to be isolated was MRSA. Significant difference in knowledge regarding hand hygiene was observed among medical and paramedical staff. The results of this study could help us to reduce the burden of HCAIs by strengthening Infection Control surveillance activities, thus improving patient care.