Healthcare workers' adherence to infection prevention and control guidelines for respiratory infectious diseases: A rapid qualitative evidence synthesis

COVID-19 spreads easily between people who are in close contact, or through coughs and sneezes. As the number of cases continues to increase, healthcare workers (HCWs) are notably at risk as a result of frequency of contact with suspected cases or infected people. Use of infection prevention and control (IPC) strategies by HCWs is therefore important. We summarise the evidence from a rapid Cochrane qualitative evidence synthesis by Houghton et al. on barriers and facilitators to HCWs' adherence to IPC guidelines for respiratory infectious diseases

Bacteriocidal activity of handwash products and soaps sold in Port Harcourt, Nigeria ­ An in vitro study

BACKGROUND: Hand hygiene is still noted as one of the most important factors essential for control of infectious diseases particularly in hospital settings and soap and water is still of essence, especially when hands are visibly soiled. The use of medicated handwash products is becoming more widespread. These products sometimes claim a better efficacy than plain soap and water. This study set out to determine trends in antibacterial activity of medicated and non-medicated locally sold soap products and bacteriocidal activity of these products against commonly encountered clinical pathogens (Staphylcoccus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli).METHODS: Antibacterial activity of 4 handwash and 3 bodywash products was determined using the Agar-well diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bacteriocidal concentration tests.RESULTS: At 100% product concentration, both non-medicated handwash products (Pears and Cussons) gave zones of inhibition ranging from 8 ­ 17 mm and 9 ­ 12 mm respectively, while the medicated products resulted in zones of inhibition ranging from 23 ­ 30 mm and 17 ­ 29 mm. Liquid bodywash products were less inhibitory with 'no inhibition' observed in 66.7% (18/27) of cases than 11.1% (4/36) of cases of the handwash. All handwash products had bacteriocidal activity against all three test strains, while for the bodywash products, no bacteriocidal activity was observed in 4 cases.CONCLUSION: This study highlights the important role soaps particular the medicated versions play in hand hygiene. Further studies involving human volunteers and time-kill assays would be necessary to provide a more complete story of the effectiveness of these products in infection control