Proper Hand Washing Practices Research Articles

Hand hygiene practices during meal preparation—a ranking among ten European countries

BackgroundThe aim of this paper was to map consumers’ food hygiene practices from 10 European countries and evaluate which demographic groups are more likely to be exposed to foodborne pathogens and establish a ranking of adherence to food hygiene practices in 10 European countries.MethodsThe research design consisted of a cross-national quantitative consumer survey regarding food safety and hygiene practices during meal preparation (SafeConsume project) and was conducted in ten European countries (France, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain and UK). The survey questions were based on recommended hand hygiene practices and on observed practices from a field study performed in 90 European households from six of the countries covered by the survey (France, Hungary, Norway, Portugal, Romania, and UK).SPSS Statistics 26 (IBM Software Group, Chicago, IL) was used for the descriptive and regression analyses of the data. Regression analyses were used to check the relation between demographic characteristics, country of origin and self-reported hand hygiene practices.ResultsAccording to the regression models, families with elderly members aged over 65 showed a higher tendency to follow proper hand washing practices compared to families without elderly members. Meanwhile, families with children under the age of 6 reported being up to twice as likely to wash their hands at critical moments compared to families without children.Overall, taking into consideration the likelihood of washing hands after touching raw chicken and the percentages scores for proper hand cleaning methods and key moments for hand washing, the rank of the countries regarding proper hand hygiene practices was the following: Denmark, Greece, Norway, Romania, Hungary, Germany, UK, Portugal, France, and Spain.ConclusionsInformation and education should point both at the key moments as suggested by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) and the International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene (IFH) and safe practices.Public health burden generated by improper hand washing may be significantly reduced if education is targeted on consumers’ behaviour and practices.

Effects of self-management education on COVID-19 prevention in patients undergoing hemodialysis

AimTo develop self-management education for preventing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients on hemodialysis and to verify its effects. BackgroundDuring the current pandemic, studies on various areas, such as infection control in dialysis units, infection rates, clinical characteristics, treatment progress, and the emotional and psychological states of dialysis patients, have been actively reported. However, experimental research verifying the effects of interventions on infection prevention in hemodialysis patients is very rare. MethodsThis study included 34 patients on hemodialysis in a South Korean general hospital (18 in the experimental group and 16 in the control group). Data were collected from September to October 2021. The experimental group was provided with self-care behavior for infection prevention education for 8 weeks, and the control group was provided with usual nursing care. ResultsThe patients on hemodialysis showed moderate fear of COVID-19, good compliance with patient role behavior and self-management efficacy, and poor handwashing practice. After the intervention, there were no significant differences concerning fear of COVID-19, compliance with patient role behavior, and self-management efficacy between the experimental and control groups. However, confidence in handwashing (subjective norm) and proper handwashing practice improved significantly in the experimental group compared with the control group. ConclusionThe infection prevention education developed in this study positively affected confidence in handwashing and proper handwashing practice in patients undergoing hemodialysis. This intervention can be used in various clinical settings where care is provided for patients with chronic illness, including those on hemodialysis.

Factors predicting proper handwashing practice amidst the COVID-19 pandemic in India: a field-based cross-sectional study.

Proper handwashing is one of the effective ways to prevent many communicable diseases, including COVID-19. We explored the handwashing practices in a rural Indian population before the probable third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. A data collection schedule was administered to eligible adult members of a rural community, selected by multi-stage sampling, to assess their pattern and practice of handwashing. All 176 respondents washed their hands after defecation, 82.4 and 80.7% washed hands after urination and before taking food, respectively, while 68.2% of respondents washed hands after coming back from outdoors. Among those who handwashed, 82.9% used soap water after defecation; 46.2, 45.8 and 50.8% washed hands with soap water after urination, before taking food and after visiting outdoors, respectively. Only a quarter (24.4%) of all the participants used soap water for handwashing consistently after defecation, after urination, before taking food and after coming home. The more educated, those coming from higher socioeconomic stratum and working from home, were more likely to report proper handwashing practice. Handwashing, as recommended by health agencies, for restraining COVID-19 infection, was not noticed in the majority of the participants. Better awareness of handwashing is recommended to help restrain COVID-19 in the Indian population.

Perilaku Hidup Bersih Dan Sehat Bagi Anak-Anak Usia Dini Desa Pematang Balam Di SD 157 Bengkulu Utara

The purpose of this counseling is to provide knowledge about Clean and Healthy Living Behavior to elementary school children to get used to living a healthy life. After the survey, most of the children in this village do not live a healthy and clean life. The method used in this service is counseling and socialization carried out in elementary schools by providing proper hand washing practices. The results of this training and socialization are that elementary school children are enthusiastic in participating in activities, elementary school children can apply handwashing properly and can know a clean and healthy life at school and at home.

Handwashing Practices and Its Predictors Among Primary School Children in Damote Woide District, South Ethiopia: An Institution Based Cross-Sectional Study.

Background:Handwashing in schools with soap could substantially reduce diarrhea and respiratory infections among school-age children; however, in low-and-middle-income countries, handwashing is still being practiced to a very low extent in particular critical moments such as before eating and after using the toilet. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to assess the level of handwashing practice and its predictors among primary school children in South Ethiopia.Methods:A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted using a multistage cluster sampling technique from 6 primary schools with 580 students in total. Schools were purposively selected and the students were random. Data were collected using pre-tested questionnaires administered by interviewers and trained data collectors. Data were entered using Epi Data and exported to SPSS software for analysis. Both bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyzes were used.Result:Proper handwashing practice was reported in 28.10% (95% CI, 24.5, 31.7%) of students. Being eighth grade (AOR = 3.44, 95% CI 1.52, 8.23), urban residence (AOR = 18.84, 95% CI 14.02, 23.29], having parents (AOR = 10.74; 95% CI 8.80-12.36), role model teachers (AOR = 6.45; 95% CI 5.52-8.99), role model health professionals (AOR = 9.62; 95% CI 2.70-14.19), and school handwashing facility (AOR = 3.84, 95% CI 3.60, 4.07) were predictors of proper handwashing practice.Conclusions:Proper handwashing practice among schoolchildren was found below. Therefore, promoting and improving handwashing practices and preparing handwashing facilities in schools is mandatory to address the handwashing practice gap among primary school students in the study area.

Handwashing Practice of Food Establishment Customers, Microbial Quality of Handwashing Water, and Associated Factors in Ginjo Kebele, Jimma Town, Southwest Ethiopia.

Handwashing plays a major role in preventing the spread of infection and, if poorly implemented, leads to different illnesses. However, the quality of water meant for handwashing and handwashing practice and hand hygiene conditions of food establishment customers are overlooked issues, unlike drinking water and hygienic conditions and practice of food handlers. This study aimed to assess the microbial quality of water used for handwashing and hygienic practice and the status of customers of food establishments and associated factors in Ginjo Kebele, Jimma town, Southwest, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study design was employed in July 2022. Forty water and 40 hand swab samples were taken and analyzed for total coliform and E. coli using the spread plate method. Handwashing facility conditions and the handwashing practices of customers were assessed using a checklist and questionnaire. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 23 software. The median handwashing water total coliform count was 390.0 CFU/ml. The median hand swab samples' total coliform and E. coli load were 21.6 and 4.8 CFU/cm2, respectively after handwashing practice. There was an uphill correlation between the handwashing water and hand swab sample total coliform load (r = .34, P = .032). The mean handwashing efficacy for the removal of total coliform was 25.8%. The microbial load was varied with the type of water container used, method of taking water from the container, handwashing practice, and hand drying. The microbial quality of handwashing water and hand swab samples didn't comply with the acceptable limit. Thus, governmental bodies should work to improve the handwashing practice of communities. Food establishment owners should treat water for handwashing, clean the water containers, handle the water properly, and avail soap and poster demonstrators to the handwashing facilities. The customers should also comply with proper hand washing practices and reduce hand contamination.

The First Detection of Echinococcus Granulosus DNA in Residents' Hands, Dogs' Hair, and Soil in Highly Endemic Region of Echinococcosis - Naqu City, Xizang Autonomous Region, China, 2020.

Echinococcosis is a serious zoonotic parasitic disease that predominantly infects humans; domestic animals like cattle or sheep; as well as wild animals such as small rodents. To date, there is a lack of comprehensive information about all potential environmental transmission routes for Echinococcus. This study assesses the importance of under-researched environmental factors for the transmission of Echinococcus. It concludes that hand hygiene is an important factor in the robust environmental transmission of Echinococcus granulosus. This study suggests that residents are at risk of catching echinococcosis through hand-oral transmission routes. Health education given to local residents is thus a key intervention, as well as avoiding close contact with dogs and ensuring proper hand-washing practices are followed.

Behavioral and environmental determinants of acute diarrhea among under-five children from public health facilities of Siyadebirena Wayu district, north Shoa zone, Amhara regional state, Ethiopia: Unmatched case-control study.

Acute diarrhea is a major public health problem in the world. Next to pneumonia, it is the leading cause of death in children under five years old. Globally, even though childhood diarrhea disease kills millions, the interaction of socio-demographic, behavioral, and environmental factors of acute diarrhea in children aged 6-59 months is not investigated yet in the current study area. To determine behavioral and environmental predictors of acute diarrhea among under-five children from public health facilities of Siyadebirena Wayu district, North Shoa, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia, 2019. A facility-based unmatched case-control study was conducted from March 12, 2019, to May 12, 2019. A total of 315 under-five children were included in the study (105 cases and 210 controls). A systematic random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Data were collected by a structured questionnaire and analyzed by using SPSS. To analyze the data, bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used. The study showed that average family monthly income of 12-23 USD (AOR = 6. 22; 95% CI: 1.30, 29.64), hand washing practice of mothers/ care givers with water only (AOR = 3.75; 95% CI: 1.16, 12.13), improper disposal of infant feces (AOR = 11.01; 95% CI: 3.37, 35.96), not treating drinking water at home (AOR = 9.36; 95% CI: 2.73, 32.08), children consuming left-over food stored at room temperature (AOR = 5.52; 95% CI: 1.60, 19.03) and poor knowledge of the respondents about the risk factors for diarrhea were the determinants that significantly associated with acute childhood diarrhea. The potential predictors of childhood diarrhea morbidity were improper hand-washing practice, not treating drinking water at home, unsafe disposal of children's feces, children consuming left-over food stored at room temperature, and having poor knowledge about the major risk factors for diarrhea. Thus, awareness of the community on hygiene and sanitation focusing on proper handling of human excreta, safe water handling, proper hand washing practice, and proper management of leftover food should be enhanced to prevent children from acute diarrhea diseases.

Application Notes: APD Handwash Android App – A tool for evaluating the effectiveness of handwashing

Handwashing is a basic infection control practice that needs to be performed correctly to be effective. In the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, its correct practice is emphasized by public health institutions. However, turning a practice into a habit requires acceptance for adoption of the twenty-second proper procedure to which difficulty remains. To promote and convince the average user, we developed the “APD Handwash app” as a home-use demonstration/education tool to the pitfalls and need of proper handwashing practices through the detection of assigned clean or dirty areas on the hand in a quantitative manner to provide a gauge to the effectiveness of washing when used before and after washing.

PRACTICE OF PROPER HANDWASHING AND ITS ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG STAFF IN A MALAYSIAN UNIVERSITY

In higher education setting throughout the world, the practise of handwashing among staff is essential, particularly in the period of COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the overwhelming evidence on the effectiveness of proper handwashing, the knowledge, attitude and practice of handwashing among the staff of higher education have not been well investigated. Consequently, a cross-sectional study among staff in a university in Malaysia was conducted to identify the prevalence of proper handwashing and its associated factors. The data was collected using questionnaires in Google form from 18th June to 21st June 2020. Statistical analyses involved simple and multiple logistic regression with backward likelihood ratio method. Out of 349 participants, 31.8% (95% CI: 26.9,36.7) had proper handwashing practice. The results of the multivariable analysis revealed that the total knowledge scores (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.001, 1.071) and the total attitude scores (OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.152, 1.321) were found to be significantly associated with proper handwashing practice among staff. Our study suggests that having the right knowledge and favourable attitudes are crucial towards achieving the proper handwashing practise. Additional supports for promoting a conducive ecosystem may also likely be needed to sustain a long-term practice of proper handwashing.

Observational study on hand washing practice during COVID-19 pandemic among bank visitors in Gondar Town, Northwest Ethiopia

ABSTRACT Hand washing has received considerable attention during the COVID‐19 pandemic and it is simple, cost-effective, and one of the first lines of defenses in ceasing the spread of the current pandemic. Hence, assessing the actual hand washing practice of bank visitors during COVID-19 pandemic will have tremendous contribution in the prevention and control strategy of the disease. Observational study followed by demonstration was conducted from May 1 to June 15, 2020, among bank visitors at Gondar town. A total of 415 bank users participated in the study. Data was collected through observation using check list and pretested questioner. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to show the association between outcome variable with determinant factors. P-value <0.05 was taken as significant. A total of 415 participants were enrolled on the study. Most of the participants, 245 (59%), were males and 369 (88.9%) come from urban area. One hundred fifty one (36.4%) completed secondary school. Majority of the participants, 388 (93.5%), heard and watched proper hand washing practice. The proportion of proper hand washing performance was 21.4% before demonstration, but after demonstration, it was increased to 82.2%. Study participants aged 25–30 years, age of 31–40, married and attended college and above were found to be significantly associated with proper hand-washing practice. Overall, there was a significant change of hand washing practice after demonstration. Health education and public mass medias are needed, especially audio–visual aids are very important.

The Impact of Hand Washing Initiative on Young People in the Eastern Region of Ghana

Hand washing has been a lifelong practice because of its many health benefits, social and moral obligations. It is perceived to be one of the most important and cost-effective methods of preventing infectious and diarrhoeal diseases like the Coronavirus disease 2019, (COVID-19). (Ghana Health Survey, 2020). Promoting hand washing as an intervention for hand hygiene and behaviour change activity for continuous practice have been rolled out among young people so that they learn proper hand washing and maintain personal hygiene. This study assesses the impact of hand washing initiative among young people in the Eastern Region of Ghana.This is an exploratory and qualitative study that combines a Focus Group Discussions (FGD) of young people and In-Depth Interviews of key stakeholders such as parents, teachers, community leaders, health workers and NGO’s in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The data derived from the study was analyse using a qualitative technique such as thematic analysis to extract the key findings. During the study, ethical considerations were observed to protect respondents.Key findings from the study indicates that there is a general awareness of hand washing and its importance among young people. However, they find it difficult to adhere to the practice because of non-availability of basic items such as soap, water and knowledge of proper hand washing techniques. The study also revealed that key stakeholders contribute to promote hand washing initiative in diverse ways at home, in schools, health facilities and in the community. However, some stakeholders are predisposed to resources that enable them to achieve hand washing initiative. The least of those not predisposed to basic resources to support the practice are teachers, schools and community leaders because of shortage basic resources such as soap and water to support the practice of hand washing. This study concludes that despite all the efforts by young people to adhere to practice and key stakeholders’ effort to promote hand washing, they are confronted with basic challenges. Hence, the need to have basic resources such as water and soap in schools and communal areas, to advocate for young people to engage in global hand washing day and using young people as ambassadors to advocate for proper hand washing practices especially among their peers. Keywords: Infectious Diseases, Hand Washing Initiative, Non-Governmental organizations, Focus Group Discussion, Thematic Analysis, Behavioural Changes DOI: 10.7176/PPAR/11-4-01 Publication date: May 31 st 2021

Knowledge, perception, and sources of information on COVID-19 among Nigerian Youths in the first month of the pandemic

Background: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, perception, and sources of COVID-19 information among Nigerian youths. Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study among 817 National Youth Service Corps members. Participants' overall general knowledge about COVID-19 was assessed using nine questions that consisted of general knowledge on the cause, origin, mode of transmission, signs and symptoms, availability of a potent vaccine and specific therapy, prevention strategies of COVID-19 and knowledge of proper handwashing practices. P-values <0.05 were statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 24.1±2 years, 317 (41.2%) were males, and 73 (8.9%) had studied a health-related course. Of the 754 respondents who responded to the COVID-19 knowledge questions, 187 (24.8%) had general knowledge about COVID-19, while 280 (37.1%) had knowledge in all domains;mode of spread, symptoms and signs, and prevention of COVID- 19. Among the respondents, 129 (40.7%) males had satisfactory knowledge of COVID-19 (P=0.070), while 38 participants (52.1%) who had studied a health-related course had satisfactory knowledge of COVID-19 (P=0.003). Regarding the knowledge of hand washing, 184 (58%) males displayed satisfactory knowledge (P=0.007). Social media (64.4%) and television (58%) were the main sources of COVID-19 information. Respondents who had studied a health-related course were twice likely to have satisfactory knowledge of COVID-19 (AOR=2, 95% CI=1.25-2.5 P=0.003, ) and six times likely to have satisfactory knowledge of hand washing (AOR=5.6, 95% CI=3.3-10.0, P≤0.0001). Conclusion: Utilization of both social media and the mainstream mass media in disseminating health education information and correcting fake news and misconceptions is needed. Health promotion strategies should be organized for all youths, especially among those who have no previous education in the health and allied courses. © 2021 Shriaz University of Medical Sciences. All right reserved.

Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Hand Washing among Health Workers in Jugel Hospital Harar, East Ethiopia 2019

Background: Hand washing is the rubbing together of all surfaces and cleaning of the hands using a soap or chemical and water. Effective hand hygiene involves the removal of visible soiling and the reduction of microbial colonization of the skin. Nosocomial infections due to poor hand hygiene are a major cause of increasing morbidity, mortality, and health care costs among hospitalized patients worldwide. Therefore Proper open hand washing practice is simple and an important method to prevent it However, about 50% of health care associated infections occur due to hand of health care providers Even though few institution based studies were conducted in Ethiopia regarding hand washing knowledge, altitude and practice among health care workers there is no sufficient information in our study area Therefore this study will try to fill the information gaps and used as a reference data for other researcher Objectives: To assess Knowledge, Attitude and hand washing practice of health workers in Jugel Hospital Harar, East Ethiopia in 2019. Method: Institutional based cross-sectional study was employed on 125 health profession. Structured questionnaires was used for data collection, participant were sleeted by simple random sampling techniques. Training was given for A data collectors and supervisor as well as Pretest and double data entry was made to assure quality of data. Collected data were entered to SPSS version 22.0 for analysis. And result were presented in tables, bar graphs, pie charts. Result: In these study the overall prevalence of good knowledge were 61% . Among the study the participant 58.4% had positive attitude while 74.4% participant had good practice regarding hand hygiene Conclusion and Recommendation: Over all KAP of health profession toward hand hygiene is moderate, therefore provision of training, and enhancing hand washing tradition need to be stablishe.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Hand Washing among Aderash Primary Schoolchildren in Yirgalem Town, Southern Ethiopia.

BackgroundHand washing is a simple, convenient, and cost-effective means to limit the transmission of communicable diseases. Improving the practice of hand washing is vital to decrease hygiene-related morbidity and mortality, particularly in developing countries. As such, this study aimed to assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices of hand washing among schoolchildren in Aderash primary school, Yirgalem town.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on 279 schoolchildren from March to May 2019. A pretested structured questionnaire was applied to collect all relevant information using simple random sampling. Data entry and clearance was done with Epi-Info version 7 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Adjusted ORs with 95% CI were used to assess statistically significant variables (p<0.05).ResultsOverall, 62.7% of schoolchildren had adequate knowledge of hand washing, 61.3% exhibited positive attitudes toward hand washing and 39.1% had good hand-washing practices. Over three quarters (89%) of them had good knowledge of washing hands with soap. About 24%, 56.6%, 9.3%, 6.5%, and 3.6% of children reported washing hands after defecation, before meals, after meals, after work, and after play, respectively. In addition, 73.8% of them reported washing hands with soap if their hands looked dirty or smelled bad. Urban dwelling increased knowledge of hand washing of 1.3-fold (95% CI 1.2–2.85).ConclusionEven though >60% of children had adequate knowledge and exhibited positive attitudes toward hand washing, proper hand-washing practices was <40%. Therefore, much effort should be directed toward improving children’s understanding of the benefits of proper hand washing in schools.

Are Quaternary Ammonium Compounds, the Workhorse Disinfectants, Effective against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2?

A novel virus named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged from Wuhan, China in late 2019. Since then, the virus has quickly spread worldwide, leading the World Health Organization to declare it as a pandemic; by the end of April 2020, the number of cases exceeded 3 million. Due to the high infectivity rate, SARS-CoV-2 is difficult to contain, making disinfectant protocols vital, especially for essential, highly trafficked areas such as hospitals, grocery stores, and delivery centers. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, best practices to slow the spread rely on good hand hygiene, including proper handwashing practices as well as the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers. However, they provide warning against sanitizing products containing benzalkonium chloride (BAC), which has sparked concern in both the scientific community as well as the general public as BAC, a common quaternary ammonium compound (QAC), is ubiquitous in soaps and cleaning wipes as well as hospital sanitation kits. This viewpoint aims to highlight the outdated and incongruous data in the evaluation of BAC against the family of known coronaviruses and points to the need for further evaluation of the efficacy of QACs against coronaviruses.

A National Communication Campaign in Indonesia Is Associated with Improved WASH-Related Knowledge and Behaviors in Indonesian Mothers.

Background: Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) behaviors play a significant role in stunting. Knowledge and behaviors regarding WASH among caregivers are critical to providing children with chances to survive and thrive. The purpose of this study is to determine if exposure to a national communication campaign using media and interpersonal communication (IPC) is associated with WASH-related knowledge and behaviors among Indonesian mothers with children under the age of two. Methods: Data came from a cross-sectional survey of 1734 mothers with children under the age of two. The measures included exposure to two different interventions: media messages (media) and interpersonal communication strategies (IPC) and WASH-related knowledge and behavior. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine the association between intervention exposure and study variables. Results: Exposure to both media and IPC interventions was associated with participants having a higher knowledge of appropriate defecation practices (p < 0.001), higher knowledge of proper handwashing practices (p < 0.001), and higher self-reported handwashing at critical times (p < 0.001) but was not associated with reported practicing of appropriate defecation (OR = 0.780, 95% CI: 0.566–1.101). Mothers exposed to only media interventions were more likely to have knowledge of appropriate defecation practices (p < 0.001) and to have reported practicing appropriate defecation behaviors (OR = 1.539, 95% CI: 1.173–2.019). Mothers exposed to only IPC interventions were more likely to have reported handwashing at critical times (p = 0.009). Conclusions: Exposure to both media and IPC interventions was associated with increased knowledge and optimal behaviors related to WASH. These findings demonstrate the value of communications campaigns that use mass media coupled with IPC to improve WASH knowledge and behavior.

Handwashing promotion and the use of hand sanitizer as a preventative measure on the development of bacteria

A proper handwashing practice in Indonesia is around 49, 8%. A report from Basic Health Research 2018 recorded that Indonesians did not practice proper handwashing. This article aims to determine level of knowledge, number, and type of bacteria on hands. This community service program was conducted to 20 participants of the Regional Office of ‘Aisyiyah Malang through handwashing promotion using cleaners (such as soap, wet tissue, and hand sanitizer) to be applied to media called Nutrients Agar Plate (NAP). Then, the participants were to do gram staining to count number, type, and morphology of bacteria. The method implemented was desciptive data analysis. Finding shows that in the aspect of knowledge level, 75% of the participants were able to answer all questions correctly after the handwashing promotion program. On the count, there were 154 colonies of bacteria growing on unwashed fingers; 8 colonies on the fingers using hand sanitizer; 36 colonies on the fingers washed with soap, and 29 colonies with wet tissue. Handwashing habits provides knowledge to individuals of healthy living behaviour to prevent bacterial growth. It is concluded that hands washed with soap and running water, hand sanitizer, and wet tissue can actually reduce number of bacterial colonies as they contain bactericidal or bacteriostatic chemicals. Types of bacteria from coccus and Gram-positive rods are Staphylococcus, Streptococcus or Corynebacterium.

Mother's Handwashing Practices and Health Outcomes of Under-Five Children in Northwest Ethiopia.

BackgroundImproving handwashing practices of mothers is important in developing countries to reduce child morbidity, mortality, and hygiene-related illnesses. This study aimed to assess mothers handwashing practice and the health effects on under-five children in northwest Ethiopia.MethodsThe study was an institution-based cross-sectional study conducted from November 2018 to January 2019 at the University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital. Four hundred and twenty two randomly selected mothers who have had under-five children were included in the study. Structured questioners were developed to assess handwashing practics and sociodemographic characterististics of mothers, and medical history related data of children were extracted from medical charts. Data entry and clearance were performed by Epi-infoTM version-7 software and exported for analysis to SPSS 22. Adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval was used to declare statistically significant variables on the basis of p-value < 0.05.ResultsThe proportion of mothers who practiced good handwashing was 39.1% [95% CI: (34.8–43.9)]. More than half (54.3% and 53.6%) of the mothers indicated that they always remind their children to wash their hands before and after eating, respectively. However, 28% of under-five children were admitted to hospital with a diarrheal disease which may have been due to the poor hand washing practices of their mother. The odds of having good knowledge of handwashing practices were 0.26 times lower. Being married increased the handwashing practices of mothers by 2.62 times.ConclusionThe majority of mothers who were knowledgable about handwashing were not executing it accuractely. Diarrheal admissions among under-five children have been influenced by their mother's poor hand washing practices. Therefore, it is imperitive to improve the understanding of proper handwashing practices of mothers at every level in the community.

Effect of a theory-based hand hygiene educational intervention for enhancing behavioural outcomes in Ghanaian schools: a cluster-randomised controlled trial.

The study sought to determine whether a hand hygiene educational intervention underpinned by educational and psychosocial theories is effective in enhancing behavioural intention and proper handwashing practices among school children. The study was a cluster-randomised controlled trial, with schools constituting the clusters. At baseline, 717 pupils organised in four clusters were recruited. Techniques for data collection included a structured observation. The Student's t test was used for data analysis. At follow-up, a statistically significant difference was observed between the study arms with regard to intention to wash hands with soap [after toilet use (p = 0.032, d = 0.5); before meals (p = 0.020, d = 0.2)]. Similarly, a statistically significant difference was identified between the study arms with regard to the practice of handwashing with soap (HWWS) [after toilet use (p = 0.005); before meals (p = 0.012)]. A theory-driven hand hygiene educational intervention involving school children can have a medium to a very large effect size, with respect to the practice of HWWS, and a low to a medium effect size with respect to behavioural intention.