Health risk behaviors among undergraduate college students: an assessment study

Health attitudes and behaviors develop in childhood and progress through adolescence into adulthood. The aim of this study was to assess the different health risk behaviors among undergraduate college students. The study was implemented at 7th of April University, Faculties of medical science in both zawya and Surman city in Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. From the above mentioned setting 750 students were selected by means of a convenience sampling method. The data was collected by using the Youth risk behavior questionnaire that had been validated previously for use among University students included dichotomous questions to monitor different health risk behaviors. The results of this study demonstrate the high prevalence of risk behaviors among the undergraduate college students. Tobacco use was reported by [19.3%] of students, alcohol and drug use [15%], unsafe driving [58.9%], violence [41.4%], sexual practices [20.8%], dietary behahaviors and physical activity [74.8%]. Males, younger age and those had family size more than five were significantly more likely to participate in most of different health risk behaviors. Significant correlation was found between the different investigated risky behaviors, where violence related behavior shows a highly significant positive correlation with all risk behaviors. Also, positive correlation was found between sexual practices and alcohol, drug use, violence, dietary behavior and physical activity. The study provide valuable information to policy - makers, educators, health providers and community workers for planning programmes, develop priorities and adapting interventions to promote health of adolescents and youth in Libya. Much more work must be done through a national comprehensive health programme to raise the knowledge about risk factors and unhealthy behavior among youth and educating parents about how to prevent them

Impact of education on knowledge and hand hygiene practices for health care workers regarding nosocomial infection

Hospital acquired infection poses a very real and serious threat to all who are admitted to hospital. Pathogens are readily transmitted on health care workers hands, and hand hygiene substantially reduces this transmission. Evidence - based guidelines for health care workers hand hygiene practices exist, but compliance with these is internationally low. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of educational on knowledge and compliance of hand hygiene practices for health care workers [doctors and nurses] regarding nosocomial infection. The study was conducted in the premature unit of Zawya University Hospital in Libya. The sample included all nurses and doctors who are working in the above mentioned setting [about 50]. Their ages ranged from <25 to more than 46 years old. Two tools were used, tool I was a questionnaire to assess health care workers demographic data and knowledge regarding nosocomial infection. Tool II was an observation study was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 structured overt observation periods randomly distributed during morning and afternoon shifts to asses the compliance of hand washing before and after patient contact. Phase 2 observation check list to assess the techniques of hand washing. Educational program was developed based on the outcome of the tools [I and II] and on the relevant literature. Same tools were administered immediately after implementation, after three and six months to evaluate the health care workers knowledge and their compliance on hand washing. The results revealed that the educational program was effective and significantly improved the knowledge of health care workers regarding nosocomial infection. Furthermore, over all hand hygiene compliance increased from 20% to 38% before patient contact and 26% to 44% after patient contact, Nurses were significally more compliance with hand washing than doctors. Also, Hand washing technique was improved in the post intervention stage for both nurses and doctors. The study recommended that periodic training programs among health care workers are key factors in prevention of nosocomial infection, similar observation study could form a part of an ongoing infection control audit program providing regular feedback to staff to sustain compliance