An explorative descriptive study to examine whether Azjen's Theory of Planned Behaviour can be used to understand nurses' hand hygiene behaviour

Connell, Fenella Christine (2004) An explorative descriptive study to examine whether Azjen's Theory of Planned Behaviour can be used to understand nurses' hand hygiene behaviour. MSc(R) thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Hand hygiene among health care professionals is persistently sub-optimal and the failure of a number of different strategies aimed at improving hand hygiene rates has led to commentators suggesting that Azjen's Theory of Planned Behaviour be employed. A descriptive and explorative study was carried out to examine whether Azjen's Theory of Planned Behaviour could be used to explain nurses' hand hygiene behaviour. Nurses (n=7) were recruited and data collected through observation of hand hygiene, self-report questionnaire, knowledge of hand hygiene quiz, audit of hand hygiene facilities and semi-structured interview. Field notes were also kept during the observation period. Although the sample size was small and generalisations could not be made it was found that nurses' hand hygiene behaviour could be examined using Azjen's Theory of Planned Behaviour. The study also found that nurses' hand hygiene rates were 39.5% of optimum. In addition, nurses were often unaware of correct hand hygiene, stating a hand hygiene procedure over sufficient for a task. This finding was reflected in observations of hand hygiene performance that was also frequently over sufficient for the related.

• Item Type: Thesis (MSc(R))
• Qualification Level: Masters
• Additional Information: Adviser: Lorraine N Smith
• Keywords: Nursing, Occupational safety
• Date of Award: 2004
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2004-74191
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 23 Sep 2019 15:33
• Last Modified: 23 Sep 2019 15:33
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/74191