Abstract
Early childhood is a formative period during which healthy habits are developed, including proper hand hygiene practices. The aim of this quasi-experimental study was to determine the effectiveness of a 4-week series of educational sessions that consider the cognitive developmental stage of children on increasing their knowledge and promoting hand hygiene practices. The intervention group (n = 33) observed the hand hygiene program, whereas another group served as the waitlist control (n = 20). Creative activities were planned for the illustration of hand hygiene concepts in terms of “right moments”, “right steps”, and “right duration”. Hand sanitizer coverage was evaluated using a hand scanner. After the intervention, the experimental group had higher knowledge level toward hand hygiene than the control group (p < 0.001). Significant improvements in hand hygiene performance at the left palm and dorsum (p < 0.05), right palm (p < 0.05), and overall hand coverage (p < 0.05) were observed in the experimental group. The study demonstrated that the knowledge and proper hand hygiene (HH) practice of children can be positively influenced by the use of an age-appropriate education program. The results of this study have implications for school health educators and parents for promoting HH practices among children at home and at the school level.
Highlights
Upper respiratory tract and gastrointestinal infections are common infectious diseases in childcare settings [1,2,3]
Proper hand hygiene (HH) practice can effectively reduce the incidence of upper respiratory infection; diarrhea; and/or hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) among children in childcare settings, thereby reducing absenteeism associated with these illnesses [1,2,5,9]
The study demonstrated that knowledge and proper HH practice of children can be positively influenced by the use of an age-appropriate education program
Summary
Upper respiratory tract and gastrointestinal infections are common infectious diseases in childcare settings [1,2,3]. Proper hand hygiene (HH) practice can effectively reduce the incidence of upper respiratory infection; diarrhea; and/or hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) among children in childcare settings, thereby reducing absenteeism associated with these illnesses [1,2,5,9]. Hong Kong found that kindergarten students with strong parenting and proper HH compliance can help to reduce flu-like absenteeism among students [17] Another observational study assessed the changes in knowledge and handwashing practices after providing a thematic lecture on hygiene for kindergarten children and reported that the proportion of participants capable to complete handwashing procedures is low [18]. The aim of this quasi-experimental study is to determine the effectiveness of a 4-week series of educational sessions that consider the cognitive developmental stage of children on increasing their knowledge and promoting the HH practices. The findings of this study would provide school health educators with some recommendations for promoting HH education in child care settings
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