Table 2 Comparison of knowledge in males and females

Q1. What is the minimum time needed for scrubbing during handwashing with soap and water to kill most micro-organisms?

123 (54.7)

88 (55)

35 (53.8)

0.875

Q2. Minimum time needed for alcohol-based hand rub to kill most of the micro-organisms

87 (38.6)

62 (38.8)

25 (38.5)

0.968

Q3. Which of the following are true about alcohol hand rub and hand washing

Hand washing and hand rubbing are recommended to be performed in sequence (no)

114 (50.7)

79 (49.4)

35 (53.8)

0.542

Alcohol hand rub is more effective than handwashing (no)

179 (79.5)

135 (84.4)

44 (67.7)

0.005

Q4. Which of the following should be avoided to prevent the increased likelihood of colonization of hands?

Wearing jewelry (yes)

206 (91.6)

145 (90.6)

61 (93.8)

0.431

Damaged skin (yes)

200 (88.8)

145 (90.6)

55 (84.6)

0.194

Regular use of hand cream (no)

59 (26.2)

45(28.1)

14 (21.5)

0.309

Q5. Which of the following statements on alcohol-based hand rubs are true?

Apply a palmful of alcohol-based hand rub in the cupped hand

84 (37.3)

54 (33.8)

30 (46.2)

0.081

Rub only on the palmar surface of the hand (no)

206 (91.6)

146 (91.3)

60 (92.3)

0.796

Rub hands until dry (yes)

109 (48.4)

78 (48.8)

31 (47.7)

0.886

Alcohol solutions containing 60-80 % alcohol have

efficacious microbicidal activity (yes)

155 (68.9)

110 (68.8)

45 (69.2)

0.944

Q6. What are the instances where hand hygiene with alcohol rub is adequate without cleaning with soap and water?

Before palpation of the abdomen (yes)

202 (89.7)

142 (88.8)

60 (92.3)

0.425

Before giving an injection (yes)

87 (38.6)

64 (40.0)

23 (35.4)

0.519

After removing examination gloves (yes)

92 (40.8)

61 (38.1)

31 (47.7)

0.186

After visible exposure to blood (no)

205 (91.1)

145(90.6)

60 (92.3)

0.829

After checking blood pressure (yes)

209 (92.8)

149(93.1)

60 (92.3)

0.688