Determinants of Hand Hygiene Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Quantile Regression Analysis

Abstract

Purpose: Hand hygiene in older adults is an important aspect of public health. This study aimed to identify the factors related to hand hygiene performance among community-dwelling older adults.

Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design. A total of 142 older adults participated in this study. Data on participants’ hand hygiene performance, hand hygiene knowledge, health literacy, hand hygiene-related characteristics, and general characteristics were collected through a survey. Multiple linear regression and quantile regression analyses were performed using the Stata 17.0 program.

Results: In the multiple regression analysis, the male gender, lack of experience with hand hygiene education, low health literacy, and low hand hygiene knowledge were significant risk factors for poor hand hygiene practice. In the quantile regression analysis, the male gender and a low educational level were significant factors across all quantiles, while lack of experience with hand hygiene education and low hand hygiene knowledge were significant at the 25th and 50th percentiles only. In addition, low health literacy was significant only at the 25th percentile.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that tailored interventions are needed for older adults with low hand hygiene levels.