Hand hygiene perceptions, preferences, and practices among hospital staff in the Dominican Republic in the context of COVID-19: a qualitative study.

Background: Proper hand hygiene (HH), which includes sanitizing with alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) (or handwashing with soap and water if ABHR is unavailable), is key for preventing healthcare-associated infections (HCAI), including COVID-19. Understanding drivers of HH is key to improving adherence.

Aim: This study aims to explore drivers and barriers to HH practice at two hospitals in the Dominican Republic in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic to inform development of HH behaviour change interventions.