Hand Hygiene Compliance of Healthcare Workers at a Public Hospital in South Africa: An Observational Study

Lefentse Magale; Dumisani Mahlangu; Suzen Mokonyane; Letlotlo Makgatho; Sebuti Mokoena; Ntsakiso Manganye; Avuyile Shongwe; Siyanda A Ngema

doi:10.51168/zr1m3g16

Autori

Lefentse Magale Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, School of Healthcare Sciences, Nursing Science Department, Garankuwa, South Africa
Dumisani Mahlangu Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, School of Healthcare Sciences, Nursing Science Department, Garankuwa, South Africa
Suzen Mokonyane Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, School of Healthcare Sciences, Nursing Science Department, Garankuwa, South Africa
Letlotlo Makgatho Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, School of Healthcare Sciences, Nursing Science Department, Garankuwa, South Africa
Sebuti Mokoena Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, School of Healthcare Sciences, Nursing Science Department, Garankuwa, South Africa
Ntsakiso Manganye Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, School of Healthcare Sciences, Nursing Science Department, Garankuwa, South Africa
Avuyile Shongwe Tshwane University of Technology, Faculty of Science, Adelaide Tambo School of Nursing Science, Pretoria, South Africa
Siyanda A Ngema Tshwane University of Technology, Faculty of Science, Adelaide Tambo School of Nursing Science, Pretoria, South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/zr1m3g16

Cuvinte cheie:

Hand hygiene, Healthcare-associated infections, Maternity, Compliance, Doctor, Nurse, Students

Rezumat

Introduction:

Hand hygiene (HH) is crucial for preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in healthcare facilities.

Aim:

This observational study investigated the HH compliance of healthcare workers in the maternity departments of a public hospital in Gauteng.

Methods:

The study employed a quantitative, covert, observational design conducted at a public academic hospital in Gauteng Province, South Africa, with a focus on the maternity department. Convenience sampling was used to select HCWs directly involved in care and HH practices in September 2025. The WHO Hand Hygiene Observation Tool was utilised to record HH compliance. Each HH opportunity was noted as compliant or non-compliant.

Results:

A total of 783 HH moments were observed across selected wards. Overall compliance was critically low at 6.9%. By profession, nurses had 6.4% compliance, medical doctors 5.6%, and students 31.8%. Compliance varied by moment type: "After exposure to bodily fluids" showed the highest compliance at 20.9%, followed by "After touching patient" at 16.7%. The lowest compliance was observed for "After touching patient surroundings" at 1.7%.

Conclusion:

The results revealed low compliance with HH among nurses, doctors, and students. The data emphasise the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve hand hygiene compliance across all professional categories, thereby enhancing patient safety and reducing the risk of healthcare-associated infections throughout the maternal care continuum. These findings underscore the urgent need for expanded research and targeted interventions to improve HCW HH practices.

Biografii autori

Lefentse Magale, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, School of Healthcare Sciences, Nursing Science Department, Garankuwa, South Africa

is a graduates of the Bachelor of Nursing programme at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. Completed this research project in 2025 as part of the requirements for their undergraduate nursing qualification under the supervision of Dr Siyanda Alex Ngema. Research interests include infection prevention and control, patient safety, maternal health, healthcare quality improvement, and evidence-based nursing practice.
Dumisani Mahlangu, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, School of Healthcare Sciences, Nursing Science Department, Garankuwa, South Africa

is a graduate of the Bachelor of Nursing programme at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. Completed this research project in 2025 as part of the requirements for their undergraduate nursing qualification under the supervision of Dr Siyanda Alex Ngema. Research interests include infection prevention and control, patient safety, maternal health, healthcare quality improvement, and evidence-based nursing practice.
Suzen Mokonyane, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, School of Healthcare Sciences, Nursing Science Department, Garankuwa, South Africa

is a graduate of the Bachelor of Nursing programme at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. Completed this research project in 2025 as part of the requirements for their undergraduate nursing qualification under the supervision of Dr Siyanda Alex Ngema. Research interests include infection prevention and control, patient safety, maternal health, healthcare quality improvement, and evidence-based nursing practice.
Letlotlo Makgatho, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, School of Healthcare Sciences, Nursing Science Department, Garankuwa, South Africa

is a graduate of the Bachelor of Nursing programme at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. Completed this research project in 2025 as part of the requirements for their undergraduate nursing qualification under the supervision of Dr Siyanda Alex Ngema. Research interests include infection prevention and control, patient safety, maternal health, healthcare quality improvement, and evidence-based nursing practice.
Sebuti Mokoena, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, School of Healthcare Sciences, Nursing Science Department, Garankuwa, South Africa

is a graduate of the Bachelor of Nursing programme at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. Completed this research project in 2025 as part of the requirements for their undergraduate nursing qualification under the supervision of Dr Siyanda Alex Ngema. Research interests include infection prevention and control, patient safety, maternal health, healthcare quality improvement, and evidence-based nursing practice.
Ntsakiso Manganye, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, School of Healthcare Sciences, Nursing Science Department, Garankuwa, South Africa

is a graduate of the Bachelor of Nursing programme at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. Completed this research project in 2025 as part of the requirements for their undergraduate nursing qualification under the supervision of Dr Siyanda Alex Ngema. Research interests include infection prevention and control, patient safety, maternal health, healthcare quality improvement, and evidence-based nursing practice.
Avuyile Shongwe, Tshwane University of Technology, Faculty of Science, Adelaide Tambo School of Nursing Science, Pretoria, South Africa

is a graduate of the Bachelor of Nursing programme at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University. Completed this research project in 2025 as part of the requirements for their undergraduate nursing qualification under the supervision of Dr Siyanda Alex Ngema. Research interests include infection prevention and control, patient safety, maternal health, healthcare quality improvement, and evidence-based nursing practice.
Siyanda A Ngema, Tshwane University of Technology, Faculty of Science, Adelaide Tambo School of Nursing Science, Pretoria, South Africa

is a lecturer, nephrology nurse specialist, and researcher at the Adelaide Tambo School of Nursing Science, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology. His research interests include Nephrology, Nursing, Midwifery, Quality Improvement and Management, Student-Centred Education and Training, NCDs & SDG No. 3 and 4.

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