Home Cleaning Research Articles

Mental and Physical Health and Hygienic, Nutritional and Daily Habits during Quarantine in COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction: The outbreak of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) was declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020. The Argentinian government adopted a preventive social isolation and lockdown strategy as an exceptional measure in this critical world context. This lockdown strategy has kept a large number of people in isolation and affected many aspects of people’s lives. Objective: To describe the physical and mental health status and possible changes in hygienic, nutritional and, daily habits during quarantine in the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Method: An online anonymous survey was sent to the general population of Buenos Aires city, 434 people answered the questionnaire. Results: Fifty-one percent of respondents were between 40 and 70 years old. Most respondents were female (75.8%) and had higher education (62.2%). Thirty point eight percent had a pre-existing disease and in 50.7% of these cases, the usual symptoms experienced by respondents remained unchanged. The onsets of anxiety (38.2%), depression symptoms (27.9%), sleep disorders (20.5%), and irritability (27.2%) were reported during the isolation period. Also, changes in eating habits (55.5%) were reported. Significant improvement was reported in personal hygiene (80.2%) and home cleaning (81.3%) habits. It was also observed that despite the isolation some people continued doing physical activity. Conclusions: Respondents did not report significant changes in the symptoms of their preexisting diseases and had a positive mindset towards personal hygiene and home cleaning. Also, reported continuity in physical activity during isolation. However, the onset of psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety, depression, irritability and sleep problems, and, changes in eating habits were observed during the quarantine.

Keeping it Clean: Controlling Mildew

Mildew is a mold that can grow and cause damage to your health and home. You should be concerned about mildew because it makes respiratory problems, like asthma, worse. This document is FCS5232-11, one of a series on Home Cleaning and Repairing of the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date June 2002. Revised November 2005. FCS5232-11/FY796: Keeping It Clean: Controlling Mildew (ufl.edu)

Keeping it Clean: Plan Your Cleaning

This document is FCS5232-02, one of a series on Home Cleaning and Repairing of the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date June 2002. Revised December 2005. FCS5232-02/FY787: Keeping It Clean: Plan Your Cleaning (ufl.edu)

The Use of a Video for Discharge Education for Parents After Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation

Background: Caring for a child at home after hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is challenging for parents, and discharge education is critical to ensure parents are prepared. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a discharge video intervention (DVI) as an adjunct to standard discharge teaching (SDT). Method: A two-phase study was conducted at an urban children’s hospital in the western United States. Phase 1 involved SDT alone followed by nurse-administered proficiency testing of parent knowledge in caring for their children at home using a 4-point Likert-type scale of parents of children post-allogeneic HSCT. These results informed the DVI, created in English and Spanish in Phase 2. The DVI content included topics on home cleaning, notifying the medical team, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), diet and visitor restrictions, and outpatient visits. In Phase 2, the DVI was viewable by parents who also received SDT. Parents’ proficiency was evaluated using the same procedure as in Phase 1. Results: Thirty-four parents participated: 17 in Phase 1 (SDT), 17 in Phase 2 (SDT + DVI). The DVI was viewed by parents in Phase 2 approximately twice prior to discharge. Parents in Phase 2 had higher proficiency scores on home cleaning, signs/symptoms of GVHD, and diet restriction. Parents in Phase 1 had higher proficiency regarding notifying the team. Conclusions: The DVI was feasible and demonstrated incremental increases in parent’s proficiency related to some discharge topics.

A continuous path planning approach on Voronoi diagrams for robotics and manufacturing applications

Coverage of an area is required for a large variety of robotics and manufacturing applications, such as environment monitoring, home cleaning, search and rescue operations, machining, delivery, additive manufacturing and even for 3D terrain reconstruction. In this work, we present highly flexible algorithms that can be used for coverage and graph traversal. Although our methods take advantage of variable-sized Voronoi cells, by which regular, irregular and complex geometries can be easily composed, it is not limited to Voronoi diagrams and can be applied for any connected graph. After the construction of the Voronoi diagram, an Eulerian graph is generated. Then, three algorithms are elaborated for the traversal of it. Two of those algorithms traverse the graph continuously, leading to Eulerian cycles. On the other hand, one algorithm requires switching positions from time to time, which we call fast travel. Additionally, we describe the phenomenon of traversing the same edge twice in a row, i.e., u turn, and draw a conclusion to emphasize the importance of this specific problem.

Complete Path Planning for a Tetris-Inspired Self-Reconfigurable Robot by the Genetic Algorithm of the Traveling Salesman Problem

The efficiency of autonomous systems that tackle tasks such as home cleaning, agriculture harvesting, and mineral mining depends heavily on the adopted area coverage strategy. Extensive navigation strategies have been studied and developed, but few focus on scenarios with reconfigurable robot agents. This paper proposes a navigation strategy that accomplishes complete path planning for a Tetris-inspired hinge-based self-reconfigurable robot (hTetro), which consists of two main phases. In the first phase, polyomino form-based tilesets are generated to cover the predefined area based on the tiling theory, which generates a series of unsequenced waypoints that guarantee complete coverage of the entire workspace. Each waypoint specifies the position of the robot and the robot morphology on the map. In the second phase, an energy consumption evaluation model is constructed in order to determine a valid strategy to generate the sequence of the waypoints. The cost value between waypoints is formulated under the consideration of the hTetro robot platform’s kinematic design, where we calculate the minimum sum of displacement of the four blocks in the hTetro robot. With the cost function determined, the waypoint sequencing problem is then formulated as a travelling salesman problem (TSP). In this paper, a genetic algorithm (GA) is proposed as a strong candidate to solve the TSP. The GA produces a viable navigation sequence for the hTetro robot to follow and to accomplish complete coverage tasks. We performed an analysis across several complete coverage algorithms including zigzag, spiral, and greedy search to demonstrate that TSP with GA is a valid and considerably consistent waypoint sequencing strategy that can be implemented in real-world hTetro robot navigations. The scalability of the proposed framework allows the algorithm to produce reliable results while navigating within larger workspaces in the real world, and the flexibility of the framework ensures easy implementation of the algorithm on other polynomial-based shape shifting robots.

Common components of evidence-informed home visitation programs for the prevention of child maltreatment

Common components analysis (CCA) may be an efficient method to identify specific program components related to the prevention of child maltreatment. We used adapted CCA to examine home visiting programs designed to reduce or prevent child maltreatment and identify which program components are most likely to contribute to the prevention of child maltreatment. To carry out this process, manualized home-visiting programs were first identified through web-based program repositories. Then, program characteristics and components (i.e., sustainability, service delivery, and program content) were coded. Common components across these coding categories were identified and compared in programs with supporting research evidence and programs without research evidence. Our analyses indicate that problem-solving strategies were a key ingredient of evidence informed programs. Information on home cleanliness, accident prevention, first aid, and social support were also common components of evidence informed home visitation programs to prevent child maltreatment. Using CCA in this manner may assist providers in identifying potentially promising practices and programs among programs with and without evidence that match the needs of their populations.

FAKTOR RISIKO KEJADIAN ISPA PADA BALITA DI KELURAHAN GADINGREJO KOTA PASURUAN TAHUN 2016

The proportion of under-five deaths due to pneumonia, according Riskesdas 2007 ranks the second after diarrhea. It is estimated that over 2 million children under five die every year from pneumonia. This study aims to identify risk factors of personal hygiene and home cleaning action with URI incident in children under five in Gadingrejo village, Pasuruan. This study uses a case control design. The subject of this study were housewives who have children suffering from URI in December 2015 - January 2016. The sample were 40 cases and 40 controls. Sampling was carriedout by Simple Random Sampling. The data collection technique used questionnaire. The collected data was then analyzed by Odd Ratio calculation. The OR value of personal hygiene with URI was 2.51 and OR value of cleaning action with URI was 2.57. Poor personal hygiene indicated 2.51 times greater risk of a toddler suffering from URI than good personal hygiene. Poor cleaning action also indicated 2.57 times greater risk of a toddler suffering from URI than good house cleaning action. This study indicates that personal hygiene and home cleaning action is a risk factor of URI in children under five in Gadingrejo village, Pasuruan 2016. Counseling regarding hand washing and house cleaning on a regular basis can increase public knowledge that leads to changes in people's behavior. Keywords : Personal Hygiene, House Cleaning Action, URI

Supply and demand situation on geriatric nursing in Qiqihar City and its countermeasure

Objective To investigate and analyze the supply and demand situation on geriatric nursing in Qiqihar City and put forward countermeasures for solving the problems. Methods We selected four districts in Qiqihar including the Jianhua District, Longsha District, Fularji District and Ang′angxi District. And then, we investigated the situation on supply for nursing of the aged services organizations and the situation on demands for nursing of the people aged 60 years and over. Results The ratio on related personnel in the aged services organizations in Qiqihar City was 0.10 between the bed and the medical staff and 0.14 between the bed and nursing assistants. The medical staff mainly graduated from junior college and university, accounting for 83.46%; the titles of medical staff were mainly primary and intermediate, accounting for 80.31%. In terms of educational background among nursing assistants, there was 69.33% with primary school, 9.20% with illiteracy, only 1.84 with high school or above; their ages centralized in 40 to 59 years old; there was 76.69% of them with work license and 22.09% of them without work license. Among the elderly people surveyed, there were 274 (68.50%) males and 126 (31.50%) females; the proportion of age group of 60-64, 65-70, 70-74, 75-79, over 80 was 17.00%, 16.00%, 18.50%, 21.75%, 26.75%; a total of 62.75% of them were married and 32.75% of them were widowed; there were 273 (68.25%) caregivers belonging to spouses and 101 (25.25%) caregivers belonging to children; disease in the aged mainly included cardiovascular disease (58.00%), cerebrovascular disease (25.25%), respiratory disease (21.50%), diabetes mellitus (19.00%) and so on. The endowment desire focused on home-based care for the aged (90.25%). Only 7.75% of the aged selected to live in rest home and 2.00% in nursing home. The demands for nursing of the aged were large mainly including accompanying them daily (36.25%), home cleaning (35.00%), accompanying them to medical attention (29.25%), cleaning clothes (27.50%), rehabilitation nursing (16.75%). Conclusions The problems of nursing care for the aged in Qiqihar city are still serious. We need to increase the investment, improve the nursing care, safeguard the rights and interests of the aged so as to improve the quality of life of the aged. Key words: Health services needs and demand; Geriatric nursing; Supplies for nursing; Qiqihar city

Women using bleach for home cleaning are at increased risk of non-allergic asthma

BackgroundBleach is widely used for household cleaning. Although it is recognized that occupational use of bleach may have adverse respiratory health effects, it is unknown whether common domestic use of bleach may be a risk factor for asthma. AimTo assess whether the domestic use of bleach for home cleaning is associated with asthma and other respiratory outcomes. MethodsQuestionnaire-based information on respiratory symptoms and cleaning habits and data from skin prick-tests, bronchial responsiveness challenge and white blood cells were analyzed in 607 women participating in the follow-up of the Epidemiological Study on the Genetics and Environment of Asthma (EGEA). Bleach use was evaluated in 3 categories (<1 day/week; 1–3 days/week; 4–7 days/week “frequent”). ResultsOverall, 37% of the women reported using bleach weekly. Women using bleach frequently (11%) were more likely to have current asthma as compared to non-users (adjusted Odds-Ratio (aOR) = 1.7; 95% Confidence Interval (95%CI) 1.0–3.0). Among women with asthma, frequent use of bleach was significantly associated with higher blood neutrophil cell counts. Bleach use was significantly associated with non-allergic asthma (aOR 3.3; 95%CI 1.5–7.1), and more particularly with non-allergic adult-onset asthma (aOR 4.9; 95%CI 2.0–11.6). Consistently, among women without allergic sensitization, significant positive associations were found between use of bleach and bronchial hyperresponsiveness, asthma like-symptoms and chronic cough. No association was observed for allergic asthma. ConclusionsFrequent use of bleach for home-cleaning is associated with non-allergic adult-onset asthma, elevated neutrophil counts and lower-airway symptoms in women.

Triclosan in Toothpaste, Is There Any Real Risk for the Health?

Triclosan is an antimicrobial drug that is widely used in products for human hygiene, beauty and home cleanliness. It is a common compound in toothpaste that have showed efficacy on the control and treatment of gingivitis. However, during the last decade, the triclosan has been extensively investigated because of its cytotoxicity, its ability to disturb cellular mechanisms on endocrine-system cells, and because of its cancerogenic in vitro and in vivo properties. Moreover, public opinion has paid attention to the toxic action of the triclosan. Thus, the dentist should know the state of the art about the detrimental effects of triclosan on patients’ health. This review explores the triclosan on its cytotoxicity, in vitro and in vivo cancerogenic effects, absorption in humans, and the toxic effects caused by triclosan toothpaste.

Triclosan in Toothpaste, Is There Any Real Risk for the Health?

Triclosan is an antimicrobial drug that is widely used in products for human hygiene, beauty and home cleanliness. It is a common compound in toothpaste that have showed efficacy on the control and treatment of gingivitis. However, during the last decade, the triclosan has been extensively investigated because of its cytotoxicity, its ability to disturb cellular mechanisms on endocrine-system cells, and because of its cancerogenic in vitro and in vivo properties. Moreover, public opinion has paid attention to the toxic action of the triclosan. Thus, the dentist should know the state of the art about the detrimental effects of triclosan on patients’ health. This review explores the triclosan on its cytotoxicity, in vitro and in vivo cancerogenic effects, absorption in humans, and the toxic effects caused by triclosan toothpaste.

Home Dampness Signs in Association with Asthma and Allergic Diseases in 4618 Preschool Children in Urumqi, China-The Influence of Ventilation/Cleaning Habits.

There is an increasing prevalence of childhood asthma and allergic diseases in mainland of China. Few studies investigated the indoor dampness, ventilation and cleaning habits and their interrelationship with childhood asthma and allergic diseases. A large-scale cross-sectional study was performed in preschool children in Urumqi, China. Questionnaire was used to collect information on children’s health, home dampness and ventilation/cleaning (V/C) habits. Multiple logistic regressions were applied to analyze the associations between childhood asthma/allergic diseases and each sign of home dampness, dampness levels, each V/C habit and total V/C scores. The associations between dampness and health were further performed by strata analyses in two groups with low and high V/C scores. Totally 4618(81.7%) of 5650 children returned the questionnaire. Reports on home dampness were most common for water condensation on windows (20.8%) followed by damp beddings (18.0%). The most common ventilation measure was the use of exhaust fan in bathroom (59.3%), followed by daily home cleaning (48.3%), frequently putting beddings to sunshine (29.9%) and frequently opening windows in winter (8.4%). There were positive associations between the 6 signs of home dampness and children’s health particularly the symptoms last 12 months. By comparing with the reference dampness level (dampness scored 0), both the low dampness (scored 1~2) level and the high dampness level (scored 3~6) showed significantly increasing associations with childhood symptoms. There were crude negative associations between V/C habits and childhood health but not significant adjusting for home dampness levels. The risks of home dampness on children’s health were lower in the group with higher V/C score but the differences were not statistically significant. Home dampness is a potential risk factor for childhood asthma and allergic symptoms in preschool children in Urumqi, China. No significant effects were observed for ordinary home ventilation and cleaning habits in reducing the risks of home dampness on childhood asthma and allergic diseases in Urumqi, China.

Asthma and the hygiene hypothesis. Does cleanliness matter?

The early hygiene hypothesis explained the development of allergies by a lack of infections; nowadays, the aspect of excessive cleanliness in affluent populations seems to have replaced this concept. Yet, no investigation has shown that home or personal cleanliness relate to allergic diseases. To relate personal and home cleanliness to risk of asthma and allergies. Comprehensive questionnaire information on home or personal cleanliness and allergic health conditions at school age was collected in 399 participants of the urban Perinatale Asthma Umwelt Langzeit Allergie Studie (PAULA) birth cohort. Bacterial markers were assessed in floor and mattress dust and were related to cleanliness and allergic diseases. Personal cleanliness was inversely related to bacterial compounds on floors and mattresses, whereas home cleanliness effectively reduced dust amount but not microbial markers. Exposure to muramic acid related to a lower prevalence of school-age asthma (adjusted odds ratio, 0.59 [95% confidence interval, 0.39; 0.90]). Mattress endotoxin in the first year of life was inversely associated with atopic sensitization (0.73 [0.56-0.96]) and asthma at school age (0.72 [0.55-0.95]). Despite the associations of dust parameters both with cleanliness and allergic health conditions, the development of allergies was not related to home and personal cleanliness. Bacterial exposure in house dust determined childhood asthma and allergies. Personal cleanliness, such as washing hands, and home cleanliness were objectively reflected by dust parameters in homes. However, neither personal nor home cleanliness was associated with a risk for asthma and allergies. Other microbial components in house dust not affected by personal hygiene are likely to play a role.

Mexican-American caregivers’ perceptions about asthma management: a photovoice study

Objective: The purpose of this study is to report how photovoice was used to (1) ascertain Mexican-American caregiver perspectives about asthma management, and (2) engage caregivers in dissemination. Methods: Eleven Mexican-American caregivers of children with asthma were recruited and given cameras to photograph what helped or hindered their ability to care for their child. Participants prioritized which images to share, discussed the images with the group, and wrote accompanying titles and captions in four photovoice sessions. Sessions were in Spanish and occurred in a community setting. Participants presented their work to peers and community members. Identified issues were subsequently categorized by investigators according to the four components of asthma care. Results: Participants prioritized 32 phototexts, the majority of which (n = 20, 63%) reflected activities associated with environmental control. Caregivers highlighted asthma triggers, and suggested ways to maintain indoor air quality (IAQ) through home cleaning. The need for policies that enforce smoking bans in shared housing and public places was identified as an important strategy to improve outdoor air quality. “Education for a Partnership in Asthma Care” was represented in six (19%) phototexts. Five phototexts (16%) represented “Assessment and Monitoring”. Only one phototext (3.13%) primarily represented “Medications”. Conclusions: Results support the need for active partnerships between caregivers and providers. Photographs can serve as the basis for reciprocal education between patient and provider, especially in the area of environmental triggers. Provider visits should include assessment, strategies and resources to maximize IAQ. Photovoice facilitates caregivers’ ability to advocate for improved asthma management and health equity.

Associations of building characteristics and lifestyle behaviors with home dampness-related exposures in Shanghai dwellings

A total of 15,266 questionnaires from 1 to 8 year-old children was used to investigate the prevalences of home dampness-related indicators and their associations with the respondent's residential characteristics and lifestyle behaviors in Shanghai, China. Most of the questionnaires were filled out by one of the child's parents (69.0% by mother and 24.9% by father). The prevalence of visible mold (VMS) was 7.9%, visible damp stains (VDS) 15.2%, windows pane condensation (WPC) 54.9%, water damage (WD) 11.9%, damp clothing and/or bedding (DCB) 42.0%, and moldy odor (MO) 11.9%, respectively. Questionnaires submitted by the child's mother noted significantly more dampness-related indicators than those submitted by the father and other respondents. Residences on the ground floor or top floor were strongly and positively associated with VMS and VDS in comparison with residences on the other floors of the dwelling building. Keeping fish in the current residence also had significant and positive associations with VDS, WPC, and WD. Having exhaust fan in the bathroom and/or opening the windows of the child’ bedroom, and frequently cleaning rooms was strongly associated with reduced dampness-related indicators in the child’ bedroom. Most of these associations among families without asthmatic children were similar to among the whole samples. Therefore, we concluded that studies regarding to home dampness-related evaluation by questionnaire should carefully considered report bias. Living on the ground floor or top floor and fish-keeping are risk factors for home dampness-related exposures. Improving home ventilation and increasing frequency of home cleaning could effectively reduce these exposures.

Erratum to: Vision-Based Kidnap Recovery with SLAM for Home Cleaning Robots

Erratum to: Vision-Based Kidnap Recovery with SLAM for Home Cleaning Robots

Knowledge of the mothers of hospitalized children in a university hospital regarding diarrhea

This qualitative research aimed at identifying the knowledge of the mothers regarding diarrhea. It was conducted with eight mothers of hospitalized children in a university hospital located in Santa Cruz, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, in 2012. Data were collected through open interviews and the analysis was based on Bardin. The categories emerging from the analysis were: understanding diarrhea and preventing/treating diarrhea. Regarding the understanding of diarrhea, mothers conceptualize and understand it from the symptoms, habits/eating mistakes and/or cultural beliefs. Concerning the prevention and treatment of the disease, the mothers highlight hygiene and home cleaning as preventive measures, as well the importance of home and hospital care measures. The interviewees have basic knowledge of pathology, further studies are necessary in order to define the current gap between the knowledge of mothers and recurrence of diarrhea cases, resulting in hospitalization and expenses with unnecessary treatment.

Role of Intra-Household Water Management Practices in Transforming Water Resources Available for Agricultural Activities in Benue State, Nigeria

The study assessed the role of intra-household water management practices in transforming water resources available for agricultural activities in Benue State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling technique was used to select 160 respondents used for the study. Data were collected using interview schedule. Descriptive statistics were used in data analysis. Findings of the study showed that majority (67.8%) of the respondents indicated that women provided drinking water in their households; also majority (71.3%) indicated that women provided water for cooking and majority (66.1%) stated that women also provided water for laundry (66.1%), bathing (65.5%), and home cleaning (65.5%), while greater proportion (26.4%) indicated that boys were responsible for watering of livestock. The result showed that reducing the number of baths per household member (1.98), reducing the number of times dishes are wished per day (M=1.97), watering of gardens in the morning and evening only to reduce evaporation (1.95) gray water re-use (M=1.91), use of alum in purifying water (M=1.56), and use of water closet toilets (M=1.54) were among the water demand management strategies employed by households in the area. Strategies for improving water availability for households in the area include: participatory risk assessment involving local people and all other stakeholders (M=3.90), engaging the beneficiary community for which water provision is planned (M=3.88), encouraging local watershed management (M=3.88), mainstreaming gender in community water management (M=3.79) among others. It was recommended that gender mainstreaming in community water management be encourage so that both men and women will be involved in issues relating to water provision, policy and decision making for the development of water supply infrastructure.

The Lived Experience of Lupus Flares: Features, Triggers, and Management in an Australian Female Cohort.

Individuals living with lupus commonly experience daily backgrounds of symptoms managed to acceptable tolerance levels to prevent organ damage. Despite management, exacerbation periods (flares) still occur. Varied clinical presentations and unpredictable symptom exacerbation patterns provide management and assessment challenges. Patient perceptions of symptoms vary with perceived impact, lifestyles, available support, and self-management capacity. Therefore, to increase our understanding of lupus' health impacts and management, it was important to explore lupus flare characteristics from the patient viewpoint. Lupus flares in 101 Australian female patients were retrospectively explored with the use of a novel flare definition. Qualitative methods were used to explore patient-perceived flare symptoms, triggers, and management strategies adopted to alleviate symptom exacerbations. A mean of 29.9 flare days, with 6.8 discrete flares, was experienced. The study confirmed that patients perceive stress, infection, and UV light as flare triggers and identified new potential triggers of temperature and weather changes, work, and chemical exposure from home cleaning. The majority of flares were self-managed with patients making considered management choices without medical input. Barriers to seeking medical support included appointment timings and past negative experiences reflecting incongruence between clinician and patient views of symptom impact, assessment, and ultimately flare occurrence.