Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Health workers in contact with and/or who care for COVID-19 patients are at a higher risk of infection than the general population. The present study was conducted to assess pattern of hygiene practice among health care workers working in different covid hospitals under north 24 Parganas during covid 19 pandemic. Materials & Methods: 460 health care workers working in different covid hospitals under north 24 Parganas of both genders were provided a semi-structured self-administered questionnaire related to hand hygiene, face mask related practices and surface contamination related practices. HCWs were clinical (Group I) such as doctors and nurses and para-clinical staff (Group II) comprised of all the other categories of health care workers. Results: Performance of handwash with soap and water in the past 1 hour was nil in 20%, once in 65% and >1 in 15% in group I and 25%, 55% and 20% in group II, frequency of touching the outer surface of the mask in the past 15 minutes was nil in 45% and 40%, 1-2 times n 30% and 35% and >2 times in 15% and 25% in group I and II respectively, frequency of pulling down the face mask below nose in the past 1 hour was nil in 30% and 25%, 1-2 times in 65% and 50% and >2 times in 5% and 25% in group I and II respectively. Frequency of touching outer surfaces (eg: door handles) was nil in 42% and 20%, 1-2 times in 48% and 60% and >2 times in 10% and 20% in group I and II respectively. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Doctors and nurses had good hand hygiene practice as compared to other categories of health care workers, hence there is need to educated them regularly.