RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN KNOWLEDGE, WORK LOCUS, AND HANDWASHING PRACTICE AMONG EMPLOYEES IN A SELECTED HOSPITAL

Abstract

Hand washing is one of the effective and efficient efforts to reduce the risk of disease transmission in the hospitals.  This study aimed to analyze the relationship between education level, work locus, and level of knowledge with handwashing practice among hospital employees.  This was quantitative research with a cross-sectional approach.  It was conducted from July-November 2021 by collecting data from 62 respondents using a questionnaire which was developed based on the regulation of Indonesian Ministry of Health Number 27 issued in 2017.  The respondents chosen based on the inclusion criteria which were having been working in the hospital for the last 6 months and agreed to participate in the study.  The data were then analyzed using the cross-tabulation and chi-square tests.  The results showed that employees’ educational backgrounds and handwashing knowledge had no significant relationship with handwashing practice (p=0.528 and p=0.831, respectively).  Moreover, 94.7% of employees who work in a high-risk area showed good handwashing practices.  Only work locus risk has a significant relationship with handwashing practice (p=0.003).  It can be concluded that the higher the risk at the employee’s workplace, the higher the employee’s compliance with washing their hands.