THE HAND HYGIENE PROTOCOL OBSERVATION UNDER CORONA VIRUS (COVID – 19): A CASE STUDY IN MAMPONG AND OSINO TO ACCESS COMPLIANCE WITH COVID 19 PROTOCOL ON HAND HYGIENE (HH) IN GHANA – WEST AFRICA.

Authors

  • ISAAC ODOI DANQUAH
  • RITA ABENA DARKO

Abstract

Three billion people comprising of 40% of the world’s population – do not have a place in their homes to wash their hands with water and soap. Three quarters of those who lack access to water and soap live in the world’s poorest countries and are amongst the most vulnerable: children and families living in informal settlements, migrant and refugee camps, or in areas of active conflict and the most affected in this regard. This puts an estimated 1 billion people at immediate risk of COVID-19 simply because they lack basic hand washing facilities hence unable to practice hand hygiene (HH). Hand hygiene practices in our homes, health facilities, work places and in the environment is of utmost importance in fighting against Covid – 19. The 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene approach was designed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to minimize the risk of transmission of microorganisms between a healthcare worker, the patient, and the environment especially during the Covid 19 period. Good hand hygiene results in a reduction of microorganisms on hands and contributes to prevention of healthcare-associated infection and improved patient safety. Pandemics has been occurring and will continue to occur as the world continues to revolve round with Covid – 19 no exception. Hand hygiene became the most first-hand efficient problem solver when such situations arises with the search for medicine (vaccines) to curb such contingencies. Hand hygiene was recommended by WHO in December 2019 as the first point of call in tackling Covid 19 and this is still ongoing but with little efficiency and accuracy in saving lives. This research work therefore sorts to access, investigate, analyze the current hand hygiene practices at Mampong in the Ashanti Region and at Osino in the Eastern Region of Ghana and its environs to see, whether healthcare workers (HCW’s), people, patients, hospital clients, students and workers are still adhering to hand hygiene to curb Covid 19. The COVID-19 pandemic is an unadulterated reminder that one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of a virus is simply by hand hygiene.  The investigation sorts to find out whether they are making use of good medicated soups, antiseptics, alcohol based handrub (ABHR) and sanitizers with the correct alcohol concentration for the hand hygiene. This research work will be used to make informed decisions by government bodies, private settings, CAWST, NGO’s and other stakeholders both locally and internationally. Findings shows that individuals within the study area are still adhering to the WHO guidelines on hand washing and practicing it. Sanitizers with the right alcohol concentration are also being used to buttress hand washing to effectuate Covid – 19 prevention.

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Published

2022-01-21

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