Factors affecting hand hygiene practice during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Zimbabwean population: a qualitative study

• DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09277-1
• Publication Date: 2024-04-09T09:02:28Z
• Authors: Nicholas Midzi; Masceline Jeniphe...; Lincoln Sunganai ...; Priscilla Mangwiro; Tonderai Manengureni; Gladys Mugadza
• Keywords: Thematic Analysis; Hand washing; Pandemic

Abstract Background Practicing hand hygiene is recommended as one of the key preventive measures for reducing transmission COVID-19 and other infectious agents. However, it often not practiced frequently enough or correctly by public. We aimed to identify barriers facilitators in Zimbabwean population during pandemic. Methods A qualitative study was conducted with a purposive sample health workers, village church leaders, traditional healers, teachers, youth leaders general selected from ten districts across country September October 2022. Semistructured interviews were 3 informant per site. In addition, homogenous focus group discussion also site using guide. The data recorded on audiotapes, transcribed verbatim, translated into English. All analyses performed manually thematic analysis. Results Two themes identified hygiene. These include individual factors (knowledge practices how they are performed) access-related (access washing infrastructure, soap, sanitizers). Among hygiene, four identified: gaps proper washing, lack conviction about habitual behaviour), (lack access sanitizers), safety concerns (concern side effects sociocultural religious (social customs, cultural beliefs, values, practices). Conclusion During public emergencies, there need people uninterrupted, on-premises water supplies promote compliance provision clean facilities critical vulnerable communities afford them opportunity improve quality life facilitate resilience event future pandemics. Community engagement important identifying vulnerability provide appropriate mitigatory measures.