Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on individual hand hygiene infection control practices among healthcare workers: A questionnaire-based survey

Background: COVID-19 is primarily transmitted by droplets, aerosols and fomites. While adequate hand hygiene (HH) practice has already been proven to reduce transmission of pathogens and prevent infection, its role in checking cross-contamination with SARS-CoV-2 appears paramount. Aim: To assess the impact COVID 19 has had on individual HH practices among health care workers (HCW) at a tertiary health care center. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among HCWs for a period of 15 days from May to June 2020. The survey was distributed online via Google Forms after acquiring permission from Institutional Ethics Committee. Results: Two hundred and three completed survey questionnaires were received, primarily from nursing officers (42.4%) and residents (38.9%). Comparison of pre- and post-COVID-19 habits revealed a significant change in awareness regarding hand washing steps (87%–100%), practicing all steps of hand washing (66%–99%), washing hand before and after touching patient (55%–92% and 77%–100%, respectively), washing hands before going home (30%–91%), washing hands despite wearing gloves (21%–80%) and after touching patient's surroundings (46%–92%). Another significant finding observed was that almost 72% of the respondents took time to educate someone close by in HH and washing steps. Conclusion: The pandemic has seen an improvement in practices of HH. This change will not only impact the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, but every infectious disease spread similarly. Moreover, educating the general public would help in curbing the spread of COVID-19.