The Influence of Improved Access to Alcohol-Based Hand Rub and Hand Hygiene Training in Healthcare Facilities on Hand Hygiene Adherence in Belize During COVID-19: June 2021-August 2022.

Authors

• Kelsey McDavid
• Anh N Ly
• Nicholas Bivens
• Francis Morey
• Gerhaldine Morazan
• Russell Manzanero
• Melissa Musa-Diaz
• Alexandra Medley
• Kristy O Murray
• Matthew J Lozier

Language

English

Publication Date

3-28-2025

Journal

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

DOI

10.3390/ijerph22040514

PMID

40283740

PMCID

PMC12026747

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

3-28-2025

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Abstract

Access to hand hygiene (HH) resources in clinical settings is important to prevent healthcare-associated infections, including COVID-19. However, many countries, including Belize, have limited national data on the availability of HH resources and healthcare worker (HCW) hand hygiene adherence (HHA) in healthcare facilities (HCFs). We conducted a study in the 11 largest public HCFs across Belize to evaluate access to HH resources and HHA before and after an intervention (provision of alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) wall mounts and HH training). Descriptive statistics and multilevel logistic regressions were used to assess changes in HH resources and HHA from baseline to follow-up and explore factors associated with HHA. There was a 19 percent increase in rooms with functional wall-mounted ABHR dispensers (44% to 63%) post-intervention. HHA did not improve from baseline (52%) to follow-up (50%). Combining baseline and follow-up data, HHA was higher when ABHR and soap and water were present (aOR = 4.19, 95% CI = 2.11, 8.32) and when only ABHR was present (aOR = 3.85, 95% CI = 1.92, 7.72) compared with when soap and water were present alone. The decreased perceived risk of COVID-19 at follow-up may explain the null HHA findings. However, our assessment of HH resources and practices provides a useful foundation for future HH programs in HCFs.

Keywords

COVID-19, Humans, Hand Hygiene, Belize, Hand Disinfection, Guideline Adherence, Health Personnel, Health Facilities, SARS-CoV-2, Alcohols, Anti-Infective Agents, Local, Hand Sanitizers, hand hygiene, infection prevention, healthcare facilities, Belize

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

McDavid, Kelsey; Ly, Anh N; Bivens, Nicholas; et al., "The Influence of Improved Access to Alcohol-Based Hand Rub and Hand Hygiene Training in Healthcare Facilities on Hand Hygiene Adherence in Belize During COVID-19: June 2021-August 2022." (2025). Faculty, Staff and Students Publications. 7011.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/baylor_docs/7011