Psychosocial determinants of self-reported hand hygiene behaviour: a survey comparing physicians and nurses in intensive care units

BACKGROUND

Research applying psychological behaviour change theories to hand hygiene compliance is scarce, especially for physicians.

AIM

To identify psychosocial determinants of self-reported hand hygiene behaviour (HHB) of physicians and nurses in intensive care units (ICUs).

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey using a self-administered questionnaire that applied concepts from the Health Action Process Approach on hygienic hand disinfection was conducted in 10 ICUs and two haematopoietic stem cell transplantation units at Hannover Medical School, Germany. Self-reported compliance was operationalized as always disinfecting one's hands when given tasks associated with risk of infection. Using seven-point Likert scales, behavioural planning, maintenance self-efficacy and action control were assessed as psychological factors, and personnel and material resources, organizational problems and cooperation on the ward were assessed as perceived environmental factors. Multiple logistic regression analysis was employed.

FINDINGS

In total, 307 physicians and 348 nurses participated in this study (response rates 70.9% and 63.4%, respectively). Self-reported compliance did not differ between the groups (72.4% vs 69.4%, P = 0.405). While nurses reported stronger planning, self-efficacy and action control, physicians indicated better personnel resources and cooperation on the ward (P < 0.02). Self-efficacy [odds ratio (OR) 1.4, P = 0.041], action control (OR 1.8, P < 0.001) and cooperation on the ward (OR 1.5, P = 0.036) were positively associated with HHB among physicians, but only action control was positively associated with HHB among nurses (OR 1.6, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The associations between action control (self-regulatory strategies where behaviour is evaluated continuously and automatically against guidelines) and compliance indicate that HHB is a habit in need of self-monitoring. The fact that perceived cooperation on the ward was the only environmental correlate of HHB among physicians stresses the importance of team-directed interventions.

[Compliance with hand hygiene guidelines on intensive care units at a university medical centre with surgical focus]

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Hand hygiene practice is one of the most effective measures to prevent healthcare-associated infections. This study examines the trends of hand hygiene compliance among physicians and nurses on the intensive care units (ICU) and hematopoetic stem cell transplantation units (HSCTU) at Hannover Medical School. An observational study via repeated cross-sectional assessments was conducted during the first 6 years of the "AKTION Saubere Hände" (ASH), i.e. the German adaptation of WHO's "Clean Care is Safer Care" campaign.

METHODS

Compliance rates were directly observed in accordance with WHO definitions on the 10 ICU and two HSCTU. Overall, 13,175 hand hygiene opportunities were observed between 2008 and 2013.

RESULTS

In 2008, compliance rates of physicians and nurses did not differ significantly in statistical terms (53% vs. 57%, p=0.085). Physicians' compliance improved to 64% in 2011, but declined again to 48.4% in 2013 (p < 0.001). In contrast, hand hygiene compliance among nurses had increased to 71.3% as soon as 2009 /10 (p < 0.001). Their compliance dropped to 55.8% in 2013 and thus to baseline level (p=0.444), while remaining higher than that of physicians (p=0.003). Similar trends pertained to the surgical ICU.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that during the ASH-campaign hand hygiene compliance increased initially both among physicians and nurses, albeit so far not in a sustainable fashion. This implies an increased demand for interventions which not only promote motivation, but also its translation into stable and sustained behavior in accordance with guidelines.

Direkte medizinische Kosten der (starken) Adipositas: ein Bottom-up-Vergleich über- vs. normalgewichtiger Erwachsener in der KORA-Studienregion

AIM OF THE STUDY

To estimate and compare direct medical costs of illness of German adults in different BMI-groups and different degrees of obesity.

METHODS

In a sub-sample (n = 947) of the KORA-Survey S4 1999/2001, a cross-sectional health survey of the adult population in the Augsburg region (Germany; age: 25-74), visits to physicians, receipt and purchase of drugs, and inpatient days in hospital were assessed over half a year. Body mass index (BMI in kg/m(2)) was assessed anthropometrically. Respondents in normal weight (18.5 < or = BMI < 25), pre-obese (25 < or = BMI < 30), moderately obese (class 1: 30 < or = BMI < 35), and severely obese (classes 2-3: BMI > or = 35) range were compared in their costs of illness via analyses of covariance and regression analyses based on generalized linear models. Physician visits and inpatient days were evaluated as recommended by the Working Group "Methods in Health Economic Evaluation", and drugs by actual costs. Sex, age, socio-economic status (Helmert-Index), sickness fund (statutory vs. private), and place of residence (Augsburg City vs. District of Augsburg or Aichach-Friedberg) were adjusted for.

RESULTS

While respondents with moderate obesity statistically did not differ significantly in their direct medical costs from those in normal weight or pre-obese range (1,080.14 euro vs. 847.60 euro and 830.59 euro; for users of care: 1,215.55 euro vs. 993.18 euro and 1,003.23 euro [all estimates adjusted and per annum]), those with severe obesity had significantly higher costs (2,572.19 euro; for users of care: 2,964.87 euro). Sub-analyses for individual parameters of health care use revealed that this pattern is largely due to inpatient days in hospital and receipt/purchase of drugs only available on prescription.

CONCLUSIONS

On average, results indicate excess direct medical costs primarily in people with severe, and less with moderate obesity. In particular, they underline the need to distinguish moderate vs. severe obesity (classes 1 vs. 2-3) in health economics and health services research.

Utilization of Out- and Inpatient Health Services by Obese Adults: a Population-Based Study in the Augsburg Region, Germany

The aim of this study is to compare out- and inpatient health services utilization by obese and normal weight adults. In a subsample of the KORA-Survey S4 1999/2001 in the Augsburg region, Germany (n = 947, age: 25-74 years), number of visits to general practitioners (GP) and inpatient hospital days were self-reported in three computer-aided telephone interviews (CATI) over half a year. Body mass index, based on measured body height and weight, was used to define obesity according to WHO classification. Participants, stratified in normal weight (18.5 < or = BMI < 25), preobese (25 < r = BMI < 30), obese class 1 (30 < or = BMI < 35) and obese classes 2-3 (BMI > or = 35), were compared via logistic, zero-truncated negative binomial, and multinomial models to elucidate obesity's associations with utilization at all, its frequency, and high utilization. Sex, age, social class, health insurance, and place of residence were adjusted for in all models. Respondents in obesity class 1 were more prone to report at least one visit to a GP than those normal weight (OR = 1.84, p < 0.01), while obesity classes 2-3 were associated with frequent (IRR = 1.63, p < 0.05) and high utilization (OR = 3.57, p < 0.05). Regarding days in hospital, only the extremely obese (i. e. classes 2-3) reported significantly more utilization than those normal weight (days if hospitalized at all: IRR = 3.24, p < 0.05; high utilization: OR = 5.4, p < 0.01). Sex did not play a significant role in any model. Older respondents reported more utilization in terms of GP-visits, while only tending to do so regarding inpatient utilization. Both those with statutory (vs. private) health insurance and rural (vs. urban) place of residence had higher odds to visit a GP at all. Results point to an excess utilization of out- and inpatient health services by especially extremely obese adults, and underline the need to contrast obesity classes 2-3 vs. 1 in health services utilization research.

[Health promotion by sports and physical activity: politics, behavior and infrastructures in a European comparison]

OBJECTIVES

The focus of physical activity promotion is moving from measures to increase health-enhancing physical activity on the individual level to higher-level strategies including policy and environmental approaches. Scientific evidence, traditionally related to individual-based strategies, calls for adaptation and refinement when environmental and policy changes become more relevant.

METHODS

This paper investigates differences in physical activity promotion and public policy among six European countries. Data from a European study on public health promotion policy and health behaviours (MAREPS) is analysed to study behaviour, community-based opportunities for physical activity, and populations' perception of the effectiveness of their national policies in promoting physical activity.

RESULTS

Analyses show significant differences in both involvement in and perceived opportunities for physical activity among the investigated countries. Populations in Finland, Switzerland, and The Netherlands show comparably higher participation and, at the same time, perceive better opportunities for physical activity within the residential environment than people in East Germany, Belgium, and Spain. Moreover, respondents from the former group of nations report considerably greater contribution of health policy in their country to the promotion of physical activity than respondents from the latter group.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the results provide empirical support for the significance of environmental and policy approaches with regard to physical activity. Opportunities created by implementing such approaches may enable populations to develop more active lifestyles conducive to health. Further research employing longitudinal designs could be especially helpful to explore the causalities of the relationship between policy, environment and physical activity.