Comparing knowledge and self-reported hand hygiene practices with direct observation among Iranian hospital nurses

We compared knowledge and self-reported hand hygiene practices with direct observations among Shiraz Nemazee Hospital nurses. Overall hand hygiene compliance was low (39.6%). Use and appreciation for alcohol-based handrubs were suboptimal. Some reluctance was due to religious concerns. Most nurses self-reported performing proper hand hygiene more than 75% of the time, whereas direct observation indicated much lower levels of compliance. It appears that additional training and improved monitoring are needed. (C) 2017 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.