Hand Hygiene Predictors in the Staff of Tehran Dentistry Centers Based on the Health Belief Model

Introduction: Transmission of infection by the hands of dentists and staff of dentistry centers is a major source of pathogens for patients that may cause clinical infections and can be prevented by proper hygiene. Considering the prevalence of dentistry services in the country, the present paper aims at determining the predictors of hand hygiene among the dentistry centers staff based on the health belief model. Methods: 128 dentistry staff in Tehran with more than 40 dentistry units were selected in a cross-sectional study through multi-stage probability sampling. Data were collected by an author-made questionnaire the validity and reliability of which were measured. The questionnaire included demographic variables, awareness variables, health belief model and behavioral constructs. Data were analyzed using SPSS v.16 using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression test. Results: The obtained scores were in the medium range for the awareness and behavior and good for health belief model. Multiple regression test showed that awareness and health belief model constructs predicted a total of 27.7% of compliance with hand hygiene rules. Among the studied constructs, the perceived barrier construct (P <0.001, β = 0.432) and knowledge variable (P = 0.008, β = 0.205) were significantly predictive of hand hygiene Conclusions: Emphasis should be made on the perceived barrier variables and awareness as the most important predictors of hand hygiene in the staff of dentistry centers in planning and designing educational interventions and developing educational content based on health belief model