Hand hygiene knowledge among nursing professionals during a pandemic: insights from a cross-sectional study in Brazil

Background and Objectives: hand hygiene (HH) is a crucial safety practice, but lack of knowledge can hinder compliance. The objective was to measure and assess the knowledge of nursing professionals who provided care during the COVID-19 pandemic regarding HH and to verify the association between HH knowledge and professional category and regions in Brazil. Methods: an observational study was conducted from November 2020 to December 2021 involving 493 nursing professionals from all regions of Brazil. Data collection was carried out using Google Forms (R) (R) and social media platforms. The Hand Hygiene Knowledge Test for Healthcare Professionals was used, and results were analyzed descriptively. Pearson's chi-square test (x2) 2 ) and Fisher's exact test were employed to assess associations. Results: among the participants, the majority (74.7%) had limited or subpar knowledge of HH. Nurses had a higher level of knowledge compared to nursing assistants and licensed practical nurses. Associations were found between professional category and correct answers regarding microorganism destruction time and the type of HH to be used. Conclusion: Brazilian nursing professionals had limited knowledge of HH, with nurses displaying a higher level of knowledge compared to nursing assistants and licensed practical nurse. Continuous education and guidance are necessary to improve HH practices among the nursing staff.