ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of human behaviour in controlling the spread of disease. Hand hygiene is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce the transmission of infections. AIM: The aim of the present study was to use the theory of planned behaviour to examine hand hygiene beliefs and behaviours among hospital nurses in Hong Kong during the outbreak of COVID-19. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted recruiting a sample of nurses working in public hospitals across Hong Kong to complete an online questionnaire examining attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control towards hand hygiene behaviour; hand hygiene beliefs and hand hygiene knowledge were also examined. RESULTS: A total of 122 nurses (73% female) participated in the study. Self-reported hand hygiene performance was 81.93% in the present sample and nearly two-thirds had engaged in post-registration infection control training. Findings revealed that subjective norms and perceived behavioural control were significantly and positively associated with hand hygiene behaviour through intentions. However, attitude had no effect on hand hygiene intention and behaviour in the present study. CONCLUSION: The theory of planned behaviour provides a useful and effective framework in explaining the hand hygiene behaviour of nurses working in Hong Kong public hospitals during the COVID-19 outbreak. Continued commitment to improve hand hygiene practices is essential in the continued battle against the transmission of infectious diseases.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Hand Hygiene , COVID-19/prevention & control , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Hong Kong/epidemiology , Humans , Male , Pandemics/prevention & control , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Objectives: To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of Malaysian university and pre-university students, especially after the shift to online academic activities, following almost one year of experiencing the pandemic Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among Malaysian preuniversity and university students, nationwide, using perceived stress scale-10 questionnaire and another validated 11-construct questionnaire. Key findings: The online questionnaires were filled out by 383 Malaysian pre-university and university students. About 40% of the respondents reported moderate to severe level of loneliness and social isolation. There was a significant correlation between suicidal thoughts and the social isolation. The prevalence of moderate to severe suicidal thoughts (14% of the respondents) was more than the reported prevalence before COVID-19 pandemic. The residential state, gender and ethnicity of the respondents did not show an association with depressive and suicidal thoughts of the respondents. Conclusion: Loneliness and feeling social isolation were the most prevalent problems, as reported by the students. Suicidal Thoughts are more prevalent, compared to pre-COVID-19 reports. The educators and institution managers must seek for appropriate methods to address the critical condition.
ABSTRACT
Background: Home visit service to dialysis patients has established in Queen Mary Hospital renal unit for long times. However, such service was suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives: We decided to perform the home visit (HV) by zoom to evaluate patient's home performance to both peritoneal patients (PD) and home haemodialysis (HHD) patients. Methodology: 'Zoom' was chosen to perform HV and a pilot run was started in December 2020. For pre-zoom preparation, a workgroup was formed by dialysis nurses;HV checklists were modified from existing one;consent forms were revised;zoom apps were allowed to use after approved by the internet technology (IT) department;two instruction guides were prepared to nurses and patients / helpers and special cell phone / i-pad stabilizers were provided to patients. One trail run was conducted with nursing staff and two trail runs were conducted with PD patient volunteers. Results: 26 PD and 1 HHD zoom HV was done in December 2020. During zoom HV, patient's home environments;techniques;PD / HHD related knowledge were evaluated. Performance improvement advice were given to patients and caregivers before end of HV. 1 patient was found contamination of transfer set and need to return to hospital for treatment. Evaluation forms were prepared to patients and nurses. 24 patients were satisfied with the zoom HV arrangement and agreed that zoom was easy to manage. 17 patients disagreed that their performance would be affected by external factors and causing some distractions. All 6 nurses agreed that zoom HV were easy to manage and they were satisfied. 2 of them were distracted by external factors and 4 of them were neutral on this point. Conclusions: Zoom HV is a convenient way to assess patient's condition and performance at home when physical visit is restricted during COVID 19 pandemic.