The impact of the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic on the hygiene habits of the Poles

Abstract

Background The objective of the study was to learn about and evaluate the hygienic habits of the Poles. There were also specific objectives defined, related to the change of the habits during the pandemic: 1. 1. perform basic hygiene activities and those aimed at reducing the risk of contracting COVID-19, 2. 2. use of hygiene utensils. Material and methods The study was conducted in two editions. The first edition took place at the beginning of the pandemic in Poland (April 2020) and the second one after another 8 months (November 2020). A total of 549 people took part in the study, including 412 women and 137 men. In the study (survey) a specifically designed questionnaire consisting of 14 closed questions was used. The questions concerned three subject areas: 1. 1. Possession and use of hygienic utensils, 2. 2. Habits and activities related to COVID-19 pandemic, 3. 3. Basic activities of personal hygiene. Within each part, the existence of a correlation between the first edition and the second round of the study was examined. Results Most of the respondents had personal hygiene equipment, in the second edition they also had a toothbrush (p=0.0367). The habits of the respondents regarding the additional activities related to oral hygiene changed significantly (p=0.0315), the percentage of people using only dental floss increased along with decreasing percentage of people using mouthwash solely. There was also a significant decrease in the percentage of respondents using chewing gum (p=0.0044). In addition, it was found that the frequency of hand washing during the pandemic increased and the time of using antibacterial fluids lengthened significantly (p=0.000). Along with the course of the pandemic, the subjects stopped adhering to the recommendations related to the manner of sneezing and coughing. The number of people sneezing in their elbow decreased significantly (p=0.0016), while the number of people sneezing in their hands increased simultaneously (p=0.000). Along with the course of the pandemic, the number of people who do not take their bath every day has also decreased (p=0.0023), which may be related to the prolonged period of social isolation. Conclusions In the light of the obtained results, it can be noticed that the respondents do not fully comply with the requirements of the sanitary regime and they apply the guidelines selectively and for a short time. The behavioural patterns that may be identified by the subjects as related to their personal epidemic safety seem to be more persistent. These behavioural patterns indicate the need for more frequent and systematic educational campaigns on epidemiological safety and hygiene.