An exploratory qualitative study of caregivers' knowledge, perceptions and practices related to hospital hygiene in rural Niger

• DOI: 10.1016/j.infpip.2021.100160
• Publication Date: 2021-07-03T15:33:10Z
• Authors: Caroline Marquer; Ousmane Guindo; Issa Mahamadou; Elodie Job; Susan M. Rattigan; Céline Langendorf; Rebecca F. Grais; Sheila Isanaka
• Keywords: Exploratory research

The risk of healthcare-associated infections is exacerbated by poor hygiene practices in health care facilities and can contribute to increased patient morbidity mortality. In low-income settings, caregivers play a key role maintaining proper during inpatient stays. We aimed explore caregivers' knowledge, perceptions related hospital rural, sub-Saharan African setting.We conducted an exploratory qualitative study among children admitted therapeutic feeding center Madarounfa, Niger. Individual interviews with 28 hospitalized were their the facility.Caregivers described broad understanding reported knowledge its importance hospital, particularly prevent disease transmission protect child health. Hygiene was perceived as collective rather than individual responsibility. Caregivers on practice others cited lack space materials barriers correct practice. educational sessions informal sharing other tools gain improve practice.This unique describing perspective low-resource setting, group often underrepresented when designing interventions hygiene. Our findings suggest strong this positive perception promotion. Poor but may be improved through additional education provision materials.