Background: Not only favorable disinfection and sterilization are inevitable in terms of medicine , but are crucial in controlling costs and reducing mortality.

  Objective: The aim of this study was to compare face-to-face and distance learning methods on knowledge, attitude and practice of washing and disinfection of surgical instruments among operating room staff.

  Methods: This interventional study was conducted on 60 operating room staff that were allocated to three groups (control, face-to-face learning and distance learning ) in 2012.
All 3 groups completed a self-developed questionnaire to assess knowledge, attitude and practice of washing and disinfection of surgical instruments before, one month and two months after intervention. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests.

  Findings: One month after intervention, the differences between three groups were statistically significant in terms of knowledge, attitude . Two months after intervention, the differences between three groups were statistically significant in terms of knowledge, attitude and practice . Two months after intervention, mean scores of knowledge, attitude and practice was increased significantly in face-to-face learning group compared to other groups .

  Conclusion: Face-to-face learning had a great influence on knowledge, attitude and practice of washing and disinfection of surgical instruments in operating room staff.