Changes in Access to Alcohol-Based Hand Rub and Hand Hygiene Adherence among Healthcare Workers after a Hand Rub Production and Distribution Program in Rural Uganda before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

ABSTRACT: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of alcohol-based hand rubs (ABHRs) was critical for improving hand hygiene (HH) among healthcare workers (HCWs). Before and during the pandemic, we supported district-led production and district-wide distribution of ABHRs and one-time provision of portable handwashing stations to select healthcare facilities (HCFs) in five rural districts in Uganda. Comparison between baseline and follow-up assessments showed an overall increase in access to HH materials and HH adherence (HHA; handwashing with soap and water or use of ABHR) among HCWs. However, large differences in the changes in HH material coverage and HHA across districts may have been heavily influenced by the COVID-19 disease burden and its risk perception when the assessments were conducted. Usin

SUBMITTER: Ishida K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11619488 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature