Vol. 2, Issue 2, Part A (2025)

Hand hygiene remains a cornerstone of infection prevention and control within healthcare settings, yet compliance among nursing students continues to fluctuate despite structured training and institutional guidelines. This research investigates the effectiveness of strategically placed visual cues in enhancing adherence to hand hygiene protocols during routine clinical activities. The growing burden of healthcare-associated infections, often propagated through inadequate handwashing practices, highlights the need for low-cost and behaviour-centered interventions that can be easily integrated into academic and clinical environments.

A quasi-experimental design was implemented involving undergraduate nursing students during clinical postings. Baseline compliance was measured through direct observation using a standardized WHO hand hygiene audit tool. Subsequently, visually engaging posters, color-coded reminder stickers, and step-sequence graphics were placed near high-touch surfaces such as bedside areas, treatment rooms, and nursing stations. Post-intervention observations were recorded using the same tool to assess improvement in compliance rates and technique accuracy. Quantitative data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, chi-square testing, and paired t-tests to determine the significance of changes between pre- and post-intervention phases.

The findings indicated a substantial improvement in overall compliance, particularly during moments before patient contact, after exposure to bodily fluids, and following glove removal. Students reported increased awareness, better recall of hand hygiene moments, and greater motivation to maintain proper practices. The visual cues served as continuous behavioural nudges that reinforced previously learned theoretical concepts, bridging the gap between knowledge and real-time clinical application. Furthermore, the intervention proved cost-effective, simple to implement, and adaptable across various healthcare settings, making it a practical tool for nursing educators and infection control committees.

This research concludes that visual reminders can significantly enhance hand hygiene compliance among nursing students, contributing to safer patient care and improved infection control outcomes. Integrating such reminders into routine training may support sustainable behavioural change and strengthen the culture of safety within healthcare institutions.