Knowledge, attitudes and compliance with hand hygiene practices among health care workers in Alexandria main university hospital

Background: Hand hygiene is the simplest and most cost-effective practice for controlling health care associated infections [HCAIs]. Level of adherence and determinants of poor compliance to hand hygiene [HH] among health care workers [HCWs] should be investigated in all health care settings

Objective[s]: The study was conducted to assess knowledge and attitudes of health care workers towards hand hygiene and to assess their degree of compliance with moment one hand hygiene

Methods: A cross sectional study including HCWs [residents and nurses] in Alexandria Main University Hospital was conducted. The World Health Organization questionnaires and observational checklists were used to collect data in addition to a structured questionnaire to assess attitudes towards hand hygiene. Knowledge and attitude scores were calculated

Results: Only 15.5% of the studied HCWs had satisfactory level of hand hygiene related knowledge and more that half of them [55.8%] had a fair level of knowledge. The majority of HCWs [91.3%] agreed that hand hygiene practices are not practical in emergency situations. About half [49.5%] of them didn't feel guilty when they omit hand hygiene practices. Hand hygiene practices were missed in the vast majority of opportunities [>95%]. Gloves were not available at any of the internal medicine or surgical wards but were rarely or intermittently available at the studied intensive care units [66.7% and 33.3% respectively]. The most common cited barriers to hand hygiene practices among the studied HCWs were lack of sinks, soap, paper towels and alcohol-based hand rub

Conclusion: Training, education and motivation of HCWs in Alexandria Main University Hospital in addition to availability of the required resources and supportive environment are the best ways to improve the level of compliance with hand hygiene

Effect of mirazid [commiphora molmol] on experimental heterophyidiasis

Mirazid [MZ], an oleo-resin extract derived from Myrrh was reported in several experimental and clinical trails to be safe and effective against other trematodes like schistosomiasis and fascioliasis. This experimental work aimed at investigating the possible efficacy of MZ against heterophyids [Pygidiopsis genata], using praziquantel as a therapeutic control. Results showed that MZ in emulsion form is a promising drug for the treatment of heterophyidiasis, as proved by significant reduction of worm count, overt surface tegumental changes like deformity and erosion of tegumental spines observed by scanning electron microscope [SEM]. The effective dose regimen was 500 mg/kg/d for 3 successive days, produced 100% reduction in worm load. The proved efficacy of the drug, together with reported low toxicity, relative to praziquantel, favours its use as a natural new alternative therapy for the treatment of human heterophyidiasis