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. 2018 Dec 4:11:2511-2519.
doi: 10.2147/IDR.S178922. eCollection 2018.

Infection control perception and behavior: a question of sex and gender? Results of the AHOI feasibility study

Tillmann Goerig  1 , Kathleen Dittmann  1 , Axel Kramer  1 , Stephan Diedrich  2 , Claus-Dieter Heidecke  2 , Nils-Olaf Huebner  1
Affiliations

Infection control perception and behavior: a question of sex and gender? Results of the AHOI feasibility study

Tillmann Goerig et al. Infect Drug Resist. .

Abstract

Purpose: Infections, in particular with multidrug-resistant organisms, are a burden for inpatient and outpatient care and the whole community. The pathogens "roam" with patients and their relatives, forming an epidemiological bridge between different care facilities. Patients could play an important role in infection control, given that they are properly involved. The AHOI project stands for the Activation of patients, people in need of care, and care-providers for a Hygiene-conscious participatiOn in Infection prevention. To this end, a multimodal intervention bundle was developed and subjected to a feasibility study at a university hospital. Our goal was to clarify whether sex- and gender-specific characteristics are relevant in the field of infection prevention.

Materials and methods: AHOI was tested with a cross-sectional design and a cross-media communication strategy at two surgical wards of a university hospital. Interventions included patient information brochures and motivational materials, reminders, and two video presentations. A welcome box with information material and two questionnaires was given to every inpatient. The patients were instructed to complete the questionnaires at the beginning and at the end of their stay.

Results: A sample size of 133 inpatients who completed questionnaires at the beginning and end of hospitalization was analyzable. The analysis produced a differentiated picture of the perception and reaction behavior of the sexes. Women had a more negative expectation of the response of doctors. In addition, there were differences in the perception of the positioning of disinfectant dispensers and cleaning processes as well as in satisfaction with the general cleanliness. For all subjects mentioned above, the differences were significant at least at the P-value 0.05.

Conclusion: The AHOI study shows sex differences in hygiene perception and behavior. Measures to improve patient safety by involving patients in infection control must take these differences into account.

Keywords: cross infection; disease transmission; hand hygiene; health communication; health education; prevention and control.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure We disclose grants from the Federal Ministry of Health of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Distribution of age of the AHOI patients by groups (18–20 years, 21–30 years, 31–45 years, 45–60 years, 61–70 years, and >70 years old). Notes: Red=female, blue=male. Number of females=67/67 and number of males=64/64.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Expected response to hygiene feedback of nurses and physicians by sex (negative 1–positive 10). Notes: Light red=female nurses, bright red=female physicians, light blue=male nurses and bright blue physicians. Number of females=63/64 and number of males=60/61. Presentation without filter for hygiene knowledge.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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