Abstract
As part of the new measures to prevent the spread of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19), medical students were advised to wear a mask in class and avoid touching their faces. Few studies have analyzed the influence of health education on the frequency of face- and smartphone-touching behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research compared the frequency of in-class face- and smartphone-touching behaviors of medical students before and after the delivery of personal hygiene education during the COVID-19 pandemic. A behavioral observational study was conducted involving medical students at Taipei Medical University. Eighty medical students were recruited during a lecture on otorhinolaryngology. All medical students were required to wear a mask. Their face- and smartphone-touching behavior was observed by viewing the 4 k resolution video tape recorded in class. The recording lasted for 2 h, comprising 1 h prior to the health educational reminder and 1 h afterwards. The frequencies of hand-to-face contact and hand-to-smartphone contact were analyzed before and after the delivery of health education emphasizing personal hygiene. Comprehensive health education and reminders effectively reduce the rate of face- and smartphone-touching behaviors.
Highlights
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Hand hygiene is greatly emphasized because hands are a proven vector for transmitting nosocomial respiratory infections
This research compared the frequency of in-class face- and smartphone-touching behaviors of medical students before and after an educational personal hygiene reminder was delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic
Masks have been reported to be efficient in prohibiting the transmission of diseases, such as COVID-19, by blocking respiratory droplets and direct facial contact [9,10]
Summary
Hand hygiene is greatly emphasized because hands are a proven vector for transmitting nosocomial respiratory infections. Advances in cellular technology have led to the development and popularity of smartphones, which are a part of our daily lives. Between 2011 and 2018, the community-wide rate of adoption and utilization of cell phones skyrocketed from 10% to 60%, and the upward trend is expected to reach 79% by 2025 [1].
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