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Background@#As of September 21, 2021, 65.3 percent of Mongolia's population was vaccinated at full dose. However, as of COVID-19 confirmed cases, Mongolia is in the top five countries in the West Pacific. This indicates that there is a lack of practice to prevention from coronavirus infection in the population.@*Goal @#This survey aims to compare the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the population towards coronavirus infection with the results of the baseline survey results @*Material and Methods@#This is a cross-sectional study. A total of 1896 people aged 15-60 years old participated in the study. The survey data were collected using quantitative (questionnaire) and qualitative (observation) methods. The research methodology was approved at the Scientific Committee of the National Center for Public Health on November 9, 2021 (Protocol № 5) and the Medical Ethics Review Committee of the Ministry of Health on January 20, 2022 (Resolution №261) was issued the Ethical permission of the survey. @*Results@#Out of 14 knowledge questions that should be known about coronavirus infection, survey participants had known in an average of 8.27 ± 3.73 (95%CI: 8.12-8.43) correct answers, which was lower than the results of the baseline study. The average knowledge score of the surveyed participants of the follow-up survey (9.23±3.2, 95%CI: 9.09-9.38) was smaller than the baseline survey by 0.96 percent. 54.5 percent of surveyed participants believed that the pandemic is “very dangerous”. However, it has decreased by 25.6 percent compared to the baseline survey. Positive attitudes toward the right place at the onset of symptoms of COVID-19 and non-discrimination against infected people are more prevalent in a population with a high average knowledge score. In the baseline study, the average duration to wear a mask was 29 hours, while in the follow-up survey, it was 4.2 hours, which shows improvement in the correct behavior. @*Conclusions@#As the population’s level of education increased, the average knowledge score on the coronavirus infection has increased, and the statistically significant high of the participant with higher education levels was 8.81±3.53 (p=0.0001). In the baseline survey, 64.9 percent of the participants had an attitude toward a discriminant person infected with COVID-19, whereas it was declined by 41.9 percent in the follow-up survey. The practice of wearing masks in crowded places and outdoors were increased by 6.8 percent from the baseline survey. Compared to the baseline survey results, in the follow-up survey, practices of wearing masks in the workplace or indoor environment (73.0%) had increased.
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Según la Organización Internacional del Trabajo (OIT) se estima que 2,34 millones de personas mueren cada año a causa de accidentes y enfermedades relacionados con el trabajo. Entre las áreas hospitalarias, la unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI) es considerada como la más tensa, traumática y agresiva, que ha pesar de la pesada rutina de trabajo, los peligros a la que el personal de enfermería (enfermeros, técnicos y asistentes) está continuamente expuesto. No sólo el medio ambiente es insalubre, sino que dada la ocurrencia frecuente de situaciones de emergencia y la alta concentración de pacientes en estado crítico que se someten a cambios en su estado de salud. El personal de enfermería la UCI tienen un mayor riesgo relacionado con los peligros biológicos, ya que están expuestos a organismos infecciosos durante los procedimientos invasivos y no invasivos. En ese sentido, este trabajo busca indagar sobre percepción acerca de la exposición a los riesgos biológicos para las enfermeras que laboran en la UCI en el Hospital Alberto Sabogal Sologuren, Perú. Los resultados llevados con las trabajadoras de la salud de Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos en el Hospital Alberto Sabogal indicaron que en general, las enfermeras de ese centro asistencial hacen uso de buenas prácticas de riesgo, siendo el de mayor prevalecencia (71%) el relacionado con los principios de bioseguridad, y siendo el de menor cuidado (37%), el referente al lavado de las manos antes y después de tener contacto con los pacientes. Es preocupante, que un porcentaje bajo de enfermeras, entre un 5 y 22% respondieron algunas veces a las prácticas de riesgo, siendo un factor importante de contaminación o peligro con su salud(AU)
According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), an estimated 2.34 million people die each year from work-related accidents and diseases. Among the hospital areas, the intensive care unit (ICU) is considered the most tense, traumatic and aggressive, which has despite the heavy work routine, the dangers to which the nursing staff (nurses, technicians and assistants) They are continually exposed. Not only is the environment unhealthy, but given the frequent occurrence of emergency situations and the high concentration of critically ill patients undergoing changes in their health status. ICU nursing staff are at increased risk related to biohazards, as they are exposed to infectious organisms during invasive and non-invasive procedures. In this sense, this work seeks to investigate the perception of exposure to biological risks for nurses who work in the ICU at the Alberto Sabogal Sologuren Hospital, Peru. The results carried out with the health workers of the Intensive Care Unit at the Alberto Sabogal Hospital indicated that in general, the nurses of this care center make use of good risk practices, with the highest prevalence (71%) being related to the principles of biosafety, and being the least careful (37%), the reference to washing hands before and after having contact with patients. It is worrisome that a low percentage of nurses, between 5 and 22% sometimes responded to risk practices, being an important factor of contamination or danger to their health(AU)
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Humans , Female , Perception , Occupational Risks , Containment of Biohazards/nursing , Environmental Exposure/statistics & numerical data , Peru , Women, Working/statistics & numerical data , Hand Disinfection , Cross-Sectional Studies , Prospective Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires , Environmental Exposure/prevention & control , Nurses/psychologyABSTRACT
Objectives: This study examines the sanitation and hand-washing behavior of slum dwellers before coronavirus disease 2019 (pre-COVID-19) and during the COVID-19 period. The study also examines health-seeking behavior. Materials and Methods: Purposive sampling method was used to select the study area and household. Out of 49 registered slums in the Vellore municipality corporation, three slums were selected, which represent the highest number of slum households. The names of the urban slum settlement were Salavanpet, Old Town, and Makkan. After selecting the study areas, households were selected on snowball techniques through telephonic conversation with a structured interview schedule. The total samples were 75 households. The study period was from June 2021 to August 2021. Results: The study shows that Vellore has the 18th highest number of positive COVID-19 cases in Tamil Nadu. This study found that regular wage incomes in urban slum dwellers have been severely affected by COVID-19 lockdowns. The majority of households without a toilet in slums have used open defecation during COVID-19. Hand washing behaviors for people living in the urban slums have increased during the COVID-19 than the pre- COVID-19 pandemic. This study found that middle-aged (age 31–40 years) people’s habit of hand washing as a precautionary measure against coronavirus disease increased during COVID-19 compared with pre-COVID-19. Suggestion and Conclusion: The study suggests that improving hand-washing habits could aid in the prevention of the COVID-19 virus and other illnesses and suggests advancing hand washing habits after the pandemic as basic protective measures, which continues to remain essential in urban areas.
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La optimización de la recolección de los residuos domiciliarios y los hábitos de salud previenen infecciones y enfermedades del Covid-19; por lo que, el recojo de los residuos permite reducir hospederos de moscas que son vectores de enfermedades. Por este motivo, se realizó la investigación sobre la recolección de residuos domiciliarios y hábitos de higiene al manipularlos durante la pandemia. El objetivo fue determinar la eficiencia del servicio de recolección de residuos e higiene al manipular los residuos. La metodología se basa en la investigación descriptiva, por lo que se usó instrumentos de cuestionarios sobre qué opinión tiene sobre el plan de recojo de residuos, cuál es su opinión sobre el plan de recojo de residuo y hace el lavado de manos constantemente al manipular los residuos. Los resultados determinaron que diciembre destacó que se debe mejorar el recojo de residuos con 19 %, sacan sus residuos a la hora del recojo con 91 %, está de acuerdo con la gestión municipal sobre el recojo de residuos con 88 y en hábitos de salud hace el lavado de mano con 82 % y uso de alcohol con 12 %. Se concluye que el recojo de residuos fue eficiente para tener un ambiente saludable; sin embargo, se debe tener en cuenta el lavado de manos. Por lo tanto, estas actitudes de higiene prevendrán enfermarse.
The optimization of household waste collection and health habits prevent infections and diseases of Covid-19; therefore, the collection of waste allows to reduce hosts of flies that are vectors of diseases. For this reason, research was conducted on the collection of household waste and hygiene habits when handling it during the pandemic. The objective was to determine the efficiency of the waste collection service and hygiene when handling waste. The methodology is based on descriptive research, so questionnaire instruments were used on what opinion they have about the waste collection plan, what is their opinion about the waste collection plan and do they wash their hands constantly when handling waste. The results determined that December highlighted that waste collection should be improved with 19%, they take out their waste at the time of collection with 91%, they agree with the municipal management of waste collection with 88% and in health habits they wash their hands with 82% and use alcohol with 12%. It is concluded that waste collection was efficient to have a healthy environment; however, hand washing should be taken into account. Therefore, these hygiene attitudes will prevent getting sick.
A otimização da coleta de lixo doméstico e hábitos de saúde previnem infecções e doenças do Covid-19; Portanto, a coleta de resíduos permite reduzir hospedeiros de moscas que são vetores de doenças. Por isso, foi realizada uma pesquisa sobre a coleta de lixo doméstico e hábitos de higiene ao manuseá-lo durante a pandemia. O objetivo foi determinar a eficiência do serviço de coleta de resíduos e higiene no manuseio dos resíduos. A metodologia é baseada em pesquisa descritiva, então foram utilizados instrumentos de questionário sobre a opinião que você tem sobre o plano de coleta de resíduos, qual a sua opinião sobre o plano de coleta de resíduos e você lava constantemente as mãos ao manusear os resíduos. Os resultados determinaram que dezembro destacou que a coleta de resíduos deve ser melhorada com 19%, eles retiram seus resíduos no momento da coleta com 91%, concordam com a gestão municipal na coleta de resíduos com 88% e nos hábitos de saúde faz a lavagem das mãos com 82% e uso de álcool com 12%. Conclui-se que a gestão da coleta de lixo domiciliar é favorável; no entanto, a lavagem das mãos deve continuar a ser otimizada e levada em conta de forma eficiente para evitar adoecimento; uma vez que é provável que o vírus esteja presente por 72 horas na superfície.
Subject(s)
Solid Waste Collection , Hand Disinfection , Municipal Management , Pandemics , COVID-19ABSTRACT
Background:Children who possess a goodknowledge and practice of personal hygiene measures such as hand washing have lower incidence of communicable diseases. This study was done to assess the status of personal hygiene and the morbidity pattern among the children of a government school.Material & Methods:A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 3rd and 6th standard students of a government school situated at Liluah, Howrah district of West Bengal, India over a period of 2 weeks in August, 2017with the help of a questionnaire. Results of the study wereanalysed with relevant statisticalmethods.Results:The importance of hand washingwith soap after defecation and before meals was known to 100% and 98% students respectively, however was practised by 98% and 76% students respectively. There is significant association between knowledge and practice of hand washingwith soap after meals (P value 0.04146). Brushingteeth, washing feet and taking daily bath (80.77%) are the most common practices. Most common morbidities were fever with cough (17.3%), worm infestation (13.5%) and dental caries.Conclusion:Personal hygiene practices like hand washing, trimming nails regularly, etc can reduce the incidence of many preventable diseases among children, leading them to a healthy life.
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Background:Children who possess a goodknowledge and practice of personal hygiene measures such as hand washing have lower incidence of communicable diseases. This study was done to assess the status of personal hygiene and the morbidity pattern among the children of a government school.Material & Methods:A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 3rd and 6th standard students of a government school situated at Liluah, Howrah district of West Bengal, India over a period of 2 weeks in August, 2017with the help of a questionnaire. Results of the study wereanalysed with relevant statisticalmethods.Results:The importance of hand washingwith soap after defecation and before meals was known to 100% and 98% students respectively, however was practised by 98% and 76% students respectively. There is significant association between knowledge and practice of hand washingwith soap after meals (P value 0.04146). Brushingteeth, washing feet and taking daily bath (80.77%) are the most common practices. Most common morbidities were feverwith cough (17.3%), worm infestation (13.5%) and dental caries.Conclusion:Personal hygiene practices like hand washing, trimming nails regularly, etc can reduce the incidence of many preventable diseases among children, leading them to a healthy life.
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Introducción: En la superficie cutánea residen microorganismos responsables del balance bioquímico, algunas son patógenas y persisten a pesar del lavado de manos. Objetivo: Identificar la flora bacteriana resistente al lavado de manos en estudiantes universitarios. Métodos: Se realizó el estudio observacional analítico de tipo longitudinal, para esto se enrolaron a estudiantes universitarios que recibieron previamente charlas educativas sobre higiene de manos, posteriormente se tomaron muestras antes y después del lavado de las manos. Resultados: De 80 muestras analizadas se identificó a Staphylococcus epidermidis como el más frecuente en 95 por ciento de los estudiantes y con el lavado de manos se redujo a 60 por ciento; el segundo agente fue Staphylococcus saprophyticcus, que estuvo presente en 75 por ciento de los casos y después del lavado, en 35 por ciento; E. coli ocupó el tercer lugar, se encontró en 42,5 por ciento de las muestras y tras la higiene de manos se redujo a 17,5 por ciento. Para los agentes transitorios como Klebsiella (p < 0,05) y Pseudomonas, el lavado de manos fue más efectivo; sin embargo, E. coli fue la enterobacteria que permaneció elevada a pesar de la higiene de manos (p = 0,01). Conclusión: Algunas colonias de E. coli son resistentes al lavado de manos, similar a los agentes residentes como Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus saprophyticcus y Staphylococcus aureus(AU)
Introduction: The skin surface is inhabited by microorganisms responsible for the biochemical balance; some are pathogenic and persist despite hand washing. Objective: To identify, in university students, the bacterial flora resistant to hand washing. Methods: A longitudinal, analytical and observational study was carried out, for which university students were included who previously received educational talks on hand hygiene. Samples were taken before and after hand washing. Results: Of 80 samples analyzed, Staphylococcus epidermidis was identified as the most frequent in 95 percent of the students and, with hand washing, it was reduced to 60 percent the second agent was Staphylococcus saprophyticcus, present in 75 percent of the cases and, after hand washing, in 35 percent. E. coli occupied the third position, as it was found in 42.5 percent of the samples and, after hand hygiene, it was reduced to 17.5 percent. For transient agents like Klebsiella (P<0.05) and Pseudomonas, handwashing was more effective; however, E. coli was the enterobacterium that remained elevated despite hand hygiene (P=0.01). Conclusion: Some E. coli colonies are resistant to hand washing, similar to resident agents such as Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus saprophyticcus and Staphylococcus aureus(AU)
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Humans , Male , Female , Staphylococcal Infections/epidemiology , Hand Disinfection , Escherichia coli Infections/epidemiology , Longitudinal Studies , Observational StudyABSTRACT
Background: Diarrhoeal infections are the second leading cause of death worldwide in under-five children covering 9% of the total deaths. The objective of the study was to assess and compare mothers' knowledge, attitude and practice regarding prevention and management of diarrhoea in children.Methods: A cross-sectional hospital-based observational study was conducted in a tertiary centre amongst all 356 children between age group 2 months to 60 months admitted with acute watery diarrhea. A pre-tested questionnaire and face-to-face interviews with the mothers was used as a data collection tool.Results: Most of the mothers 282 (79.2%) were 20-30-year-old, 51.4% were illiterate, 57.3% were unemployed and 27.2% were daily wage labourers. 44.6% people came from rural background and 78.9% belonged to lower socio-economic strata. 30.3% were exclusively breastfed and 69.7% were on top feeds. Animal milk was taken by 62.1%, 46.6% had dilution and 50.6% used bottles for feeding. 70.5% of mothers washed their hands at the time of feeding of their child, 93.8% mother covered food in their houses while only 26.7% of mothers gave freshly cooked food. Mother's outlook on various aspects of diarrhea was sought. Very few mothers considered poor sanitation (2.5%) andcontaminated water (12.6%) as a source of diarrhea. Only 8.7% mothers knew about the role of ORS in diarrhea and maximum (53.4%) considered that diarrhea could not be avoided by any measure.Conclusions: Mother's knowledge regarding causes, management and prevention of diarrhea needs to be upgraded to allow better utilisation of health resources by the families.
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Introducción: La higiene de manos es un paso fundamental para prevenir la transmisión y diseminación de infecciones asociadas a la atención en salud (IAAS), por esto, es de vital importancia su correcta ejecución según los 5 momentos sugeridos por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). Objetivo: Aislar bacterias y hongos posterior a la higiene de las manos en el personal de salud. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, experimental, transversal, con una muestra de 16 individuos que laboraban en el Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas del Adulto del Hospital Universitario de Caracas, divididos en dos grupos de 8 participantes, quienes realizaron la higiene de manos de acuerdo a las técnicas descritas por la Organización Mundial de la Salud con agua y jabón (grupo A) y con gel antibacterial a base de alcohol al 70 % (grupo B). Consecutivamente, se tomó muestra de las manos mediante aposición en placas de Petri, en Agar Endo (HiMedia™) y Agar Sabouraud (Oxoid™). Los crecimientos positivos fueron repicados a otros agares y se realizaron pruebas bioquímicas para su identificación. Resultados: En 56,25 % (9/16) de las muestras hubo crecimiento de levaduras, a partir de las cuales se identificaron C. parapsilosis (77,7 %), C. tropicalis (11,3 %) y C. kefyr (11,3 %). Por su parte, 50 % (8/16) tuvieron crecimiento positivo para bacilos Gram negativos fermentadores y no fermentadores. Conclusiones: En las manos de los trabajadores de salud se aislaron bacilos Gram negativos fermentadores y no fermentadores, así como especies de Candida. Se observó una mayor eficacia antimicrobiana con el uso de agua y jabón líquido con respecto a la eliminación de Candida spp.
Introduction: Hand washing is a key tool to prevent transmission and dissemination of hospital associated infections; thus it is a very important to elaborate the proper technique to achieve hand antisepsis, throughout several methods including the 5 times to hand washing proposed by World Health Organization (WHO). Aim: To isolate bacteria and fungi after handwashing in a group of healthcare personnel. Methods: This was an experimental, descriptive and cross-sectional study carried out with 16 healthcare personnel from the Adult Infectious Disease Department at the Hospital Universitario de Caracas, divided in 2 groups (A and B) of 8 participants who was asked and instructed to performed the handwashing technique stablished by the WHO. Group A used conventional soap and water, while group B used 70 % alcohol-based hand sanitizer. After hand sanitization with any of both substances, sample collection was performed throughout hand apposition in Petri dishes with Endo agar (HiMedia™) and Sabouraud dextrose agar with chloramphenicol (Oxoid™) and incubated during 36h in an aerobic 37 °C atmosphere. Positive growth in each case was replied and biochemical tests were performed to each isolation to confirm its identification. Results: 56.25 % (9/16) of the growth was represented by Candida sp: C. parapsilosis (77.7 %), C. tropicalis (11.33 %) and C. kefyr (11.3 %). About bacteria, 50 % (8/16) of the samples collected had growth for gram negative fermenting and nonfermenting bacilli. Conclusions: There were presence of gram-negative bacilli and fungi after handwashing in the hands of the healthcare personnel studied. It was observed that water and soap had a better antimicrobial outcome in comparison with alcohol-based sanitizer to eliminate Candida sp.
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Introduction@#In 11 March, 2020 WHO made the assessment that COVID-19 can be characterized as a pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic demands health care systems and decision-makers around the world to take effective preventive measures, policies, and decisions. The pandemic continues to affect individual and social mental health, well-being, lives, relationships, as well as economic stability. Therefore, we measure individual and social responses in this context 1) by measuring unexpected events and actions being taken accordingly, and 2) by the effectiveness of the organized responses to the pandemic. Prevalence of COVID-19 epidemics has a direct relationship with the general population behavior, therefore preventive measures against the spread of COVID is vital. Estimation of practices towards COVID-19 in the population will greatly assist in intensifying the government's efforts to prevent it. Therefore, there is a need to identify the population’s prevention behaviors, attitudes, and information needs about coronavirus infection (COVID-19), to further improve the responses, risk communications, and to ensure public preparedness.@*Materials and Methods@#This cross-sectional study was conducted among the general population of Mongolia using quantitative and qualitative (II & FGD and observation) cross-sectional survey method. The study was adapted to the specifics of the country, using the research tools and guidelines developed by the WHO Regional Committee for Europe, the COVID-19 readiness and response, and risk information communication planning. </br> Total of 1740 people aged 15-60 years old participated in the study from 3 bordering provinces (Bayan-Ulgii, Selenge and Dornogovi) and 2 districts of Ulaanbaatar (Songinokhairkhan and Chingeltei). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 23. Deviation values of 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were used to assess the difference between the measurement of accuracy of the results (distribution rate) and the groups (age, sex, location). @*Results@#According to the results 47.5% (95%CI: 44.9-49.7) participants were from Ulaanbaatar and 56.7% (95%CI: 50.3-55.1) were from rural areas. The participants' average age was 35. Most of the participants were married (72.0%, 1252) and women (60.7%, 1057). As for living conditions 34.8% (95%CI: 32.7-37.1) of the participants live in apartments and 65.2% (95%CI: 62.9-67.3) live in ger areas. Respondents had answered to an average of 9.23 ± 3.2 (95%CI: 9.09-9.38) out of 14 scored questions for required knowledge of COVID-19. Knowledge score was higher among female participants (9.43±3.14) than that among male participants (p=0.0001).The score of participants with incomplete secondary education was 8.13 ± 3.24, however this score has increased to 8.32 ± 3.44 for those with complete secondary education and 10.08 ± 2.71 for those with higher education (p=0.0001). The majority of participants perceived COVID-19 pandemic as very dangerous. 69.8% of the surveyed population has been able to prevent COVID-19 in the last 14 days. This suggests that more than half of the population has a practice of preparedness of COVID-19: wearing a mask, keep distance, and hygiene. 81.6% of the participants said that they use masks when going out, but most of them use them incorrectly, which is reflected in the decrease in the frequency of people wearing masks when shopping, public transportation and public transportation. Half of the respondents said that in places where interpersonal space is regulated, they keeping distance. However, 2 out of 3 people cannot keep distance. According to the survey, 41.6% of the respondents used to wash their hands regularly, 58% cleaned and disinfected, 67.0% avoided touching their eyes, nose and mouth with dirty hands, and 76.6% using napkins and elbows when coughing and sneezing. COVID-19 prevention practices in the population were statistically significant in relation to their knowledge of COVID-19.@*Conclusion@#Despite to 81.4 percent of the surveyed population reported they wear face masks outdoors, quantitative and observational studies have shown that people wear face masks indoors relatively for a long period of time and handle it incorrectly. Two out of three respondents were not following social distancing guidelines at all. According to the survey result, good hygiene practices towards COVID-19 prevention was insufficient such as not washing hands properly (58.4%), not possessing hand sanitizer (42.1%), touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands (22.1%), and not covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze (23.4%).
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Objective:Hand washing compliance amongst emergency healthcare providers is complicated by limited supplies, patient volume, mal-positioning of hygiene materials, and lack of education on the importance of hand hygiene. Designand Methods:A survey was distributedto A&E healthcare staff to determine baseline knowledge about the importance of hand hygiene. Participants were asked to identify departmental obstacles to the practice of proper hand hygiene. Using World Health Organization teaching materials, a hand hygiene clinical observation tool was implemented to determine compliance prior to delivery of tailored education. Education was done utilizing posters, flyers, and powerpoint presentation. Hand sanitizer stations were installed to improve compliance. Finally, the clinical observation tool was implemented following the education initiative to determine impact on provider compliance. A post-implementation survey was distributed to determine if increased education and supplies impacted baseline knowledge and compliance.Results:Only 88% of surveyed providers recognized that the A&E has a current hand hygiene policy with 64% noting GPHC does not stress hand hygiene enough. Providers reported they utilize hand hygiene 75% yet all participants acknowledged that proper hand washing greatly reduces the spread of infection. 53% of providers surveyed felt comfortable encouraging their peers to wash their hands.Conclusions:Initial provider hand hygiene within the A&E was abysmal. Though identified as a predominant barrier, supplies were readily available throughout the observation window. Educational materials placed throughout the department improved both the perception and compliance of hand hygiene. The importance of provider hand hygiene must be continually stressedin order to maintain optimal compliance
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Background: Hand washing with soap is a cost-effective tool of disease prevention, but most of the time it is overlooked. Use of contaminated hands enhances transmission of germs into body causing ill-health. Mothers clean, prepare, serve and feed the food. If this is coupled with poor knowledge and practice of hand washing it increases risk to spread of diseases to self, other family members especially to under-fives. Present study was conducted to address this issue being a critical factor in disease prevention. The objective of the present study was to determine the knowledge and practices of hand washing amongst mothers of under-fives.Methods: Present cross sectional study was conducted at UHTC, field practice area of Community Medicine, GMC, Latur amongst mothers of under-fives visiting UHTC to avail health services. The data was collected in a predesigned, pretested questionnaire by interviewing them.Results: Out of 204 mothers, 38.24% were from the age group of 24-26 and majority i.e., 69.61% were housewives. 99.02% mothers were aware that unwashed hands can transmit the diseases. Most of the mothers told that clean hands reduces food and water contamination. Maximum i.e., 97.57% mothers washed hands before eating and 71.57% washed before cooking. All the mothers washed hands after visiting toilet. Most mothers used soap and water (85.3%) for hand washing. Significant numbers of mothers, under-fives and other members suffered from diarrhea in last six months (p<0.05).Conclusions: Hand washing practices need to be followed at all critical moments for prevention of the faeco-oral infections.
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Background: Hand hygiene is a milestone in the field of infectious disease control. Promotion of improved hand hygiene has been recognized as an important public health measure. Therefore hand washing is being promoted in various ways. This study has been conducted to assess the level of knowledge and attitude regarding hand hygiene practices amongst the medical students to identify areas of gaps in their knowledge, attitude and practices.Methods: This is a cross sectional study conducted among medical undergraduates of a private medical college in western Utter Pradesh. A pre tested questionnaire with multiple choice questions was used for collection of data.Results: A total of 246 MBBS students participated in the study out of which 50.4 % students were male and rest were female. 78.5% participants were belonging to the age group 19-21 years. Students have good knowledge of hand washing irrespective of their educational front.Conclusions: The results of our study are fairly good still a proper training program is required to generate awareness among the community. Maintenance of hand hygiene should be a part of our education system at primary level.
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Background: Good hand hygiene is an important infection control measure as person-to-person contact via hands is a common mode of transmission for gastrointestinal and respiratory infections. There are promising results of proper hand washing for reducing many kinds of diseases. For improvement of knowledge and practice of hand washing, health education intervention is very much fruitful. The objectives of the study were to study knowledge, attitude and practice regarding hand washing among primary school children; to study impact of hand washing intervention program on knowledge, attitude and practices about hand hygiene.Methods: The study was conducted from 1st March 2018 to 30th December 2018 in the government aided primary schools of urban area in Kolhapur. Initially baseline school health check-up was done to study knowledge, attitude and the actual hand washing practices both in school as well as at home among children. Extensive health education programs were conducted to demonstrate correct hand washing technique and importance of hand washing was taught; with involvement of teachers from schools. Data was collected using interview questionnaires. Hand washing facility and availability of water and soap in school was also noted. Teachers were actively involved to motivate students for hand washing with soap before eating and after visiting toilet facility. Follow up visits were done to study parameters like improvement in knowledge, attitude and practices about hand hygiene.Results: After our health education sessions there was significant improvement in knowledge, attitude and practices regarding hand washing among the school children.Conclusions: From our study findings it can be stated that after our health education sessions there was significant improvement in hand washing behaviour among the participants. We tried to sensitize teachers also so that they will motivate children in future.
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Background: Open air defecation can be defined as the excretion of human excreta in open places such as park, roadside, vegetable patch, agricultural fields and railway track other than toilets. Open air defecation may leads to various health problems such as soil pollution, water pollution, contamination of foods and propagation of flies. Nearly 74% of India’s population live in rural areas and the majority of them “go to the fields” for defecation and thereby pollute the environment with human excreta. The aims and objectives of the study were to find the association between defecation practices and socio-demographic variables; to assess the prevalence of hook-worm infestation and anemia among them.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted. Sample size was 550 and simple random sampling. Chi-square test was applied.Results: The prevalence of open air defecation was 441 (80.2%). 270 (61.2%), 171 (38.8%) were males and females; 23.3% were habit of hand washing with soap after toilet. 87 (19.7%), 63 (14.3%), 43 (9.7%) were found to be having hook worm, round worm, and pin worm infestation in the stool examination. 32 (35.5%), 21 (23.3%), 37 (41.1%) were having severe anemia, moderate anemia, and mild anemia.Conclusions: 335 (60.9%), 106 (19.3%) people were going for open air defecation and inspite of having toilet at home. 226 (51.2%) belong to lower socio economic class. The association between socio demographic profile and open air defecation was significant (?2=0.02, p<0.05).
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Background: Poor hygiene practices and inadequate sanitary conditions play an important role in the increased burden of communicable diseases in developing countries. The aim and objectives of the present study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices related to prevention of parasitic infestations among school children in an urban area of Kancheepuram district. Formulation of suitable preventive measures based on the inferences derived from the study.Methods: A cross-sectional study was done on school children belonging to standard sixth to eighth of Sree Lakshmi Ammal school, Chrompet. The study period was from August 1st to 4th 2018. The sample size obtained was 210. Convenient sampling method was used to collect the sample. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect the data regarding knowledge, attitude and practices related to prevention of parasitic infestations among school children. Assessment of personal hygiene was done by scoring system. Data entry was done in Microsoft Office Excel 2007 and data was analysed by SPSS version 22.Results: Total number of children participated in the present study were 210. Among the children participated in the present study, 92.4% of children had a good knowledge of personal hygiene, 96.7% of children had a positive attitude towards personal hygiene and 81.4% of children had a good practice of personal hygiene.Conclusions: Nearly half of the children involved in the study practised open defecation, so they should be given proper health education regarding usage of sanitary latrines
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PURPOSE: A hand-washing program using role-playing was developed for preschool children and tested to verify its usefulness. METHODS: The participants were 46 preschool children (experimental group, 23; control group, 23). Data were collected from August 7, 2017 to September 20, 2017. The first posttest was carried out on the day after the initial intervention was completed, and the second posttest was performed after a month. Data were analyzed using the χ² test, Fisher exact test, Shapiro-Wilk test, Mann-Whitney test, and Friedman test. RESULTS: In the experimental group, the frequency of practicing hand-washing was significantly higher than in the control group on the next day (z=−4.94, p<.001) and after a month (z=−3.15, p=.002). The accuracy of hand-washing was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group on the next day (z=−4.02, p<.001) and after a month (z=−3.86, p<.001). CONCLUSION: The hand-washing program developed in this study was found to be an effective intervention strategy for improving the frequency and accuracy of hand-washing among preschool children.
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Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Hand Disinfection , Role PlayingABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Patient's files could be a potential source for the spread of nosocomial infections especially in critical areas. The aim of the present study was to determine the degree of contamination of the patient's files and also to analyze the spectrum of contaminant bacterial flora in the intensive care unit (ICU) and Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), the two most high-risk areas for nosocomial transmission of infection. METHODS: Surface swabs were collected from the exposed outer surface of the patients' files kept bedside in the ICU and NICU . Isolation & Identification was carried out using standard microbiological and biochemical laboratory techniques. RESULTS: In total, 76% (152/200) of patient's files were found to be contaminated with pathogenic and potentially pathogenic bacteria. CoNS was the most commonly isolated bacteria (37.5%, 57/152). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was isolated from 3 ICU patient's files. CONCLUSION: The majority of the patient's files in critical areas were contaminated and could be a source of nosocomial infection. To prevent this, health care workers should wash their hands and should perhaps be the most prudent approach to prevent patient-patient transmission of infection in high-risk areas
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Background: Soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) is a major public health problem in tropical areas such as the Philippines. A significant portion of the population in the Philippines consists of people located in the provinces as well as hard to reach localities that often cater to fishing and rural communities. Objectives: This study determined the prevalence of intestinal helminth infections, helminth densities, and relevant risk factors associated with helminth infections among grade school children. Materials and Methods: In July 2015, the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminths among Kindergarten to Grade 10 pupils in Jaime Hilario Integrated School-La Salle (JHIS-LS) in Bagac, Bataan, Philippines was determined using Kato-Katz technique. Moreover, socio-demographic profile including sex, age, and hygiene and sanitation practices of the pupils were obtained. Results: Of the 110 pupils, a prevalence rate of 6.36% with at least one STH infection was identified. The predominant parasites were Trichuris trichiura (56%), Ascaris lumbricoides (22%) and Enterobius vermicularis (22%). T. trichiura was identified in single infection while A. lumbricoides and E. vermicularis were found in mixed infections. Of the socio-demographic characteristics of the pupils, the use of soap in washing hands is a protective factor against helminth infections (OR=0.15, 95% CI: 0.02-0.97). Conclusion: Further studies using different STH diagnostic procedures must be done and other risk factors associated with STH must be identified.
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Objetivo: Evaluar un método pedagógico para la enseñanza del lavado de manos en estudiantes de Odontología. Metodología: Se recurrió a un diseño cuasi experimental, realizado en 2017 en el que participaron 26 estudiantes del 2do año de la cátedra de Odontología de la Facultad de Odontología de la UNA, previa presentación del consentimiento informado, siendo 92% del sexo femenino y 96% diestros. Se realizó la evaluación del lavado de manos utilizando témpera de la marca Artetesco® de color rojo, la cual fue administrada para que se realice un lavado de uso corriente por el estudiante con los ojos cerrados, el resultado fue registrado y posteriormente se enseñó la técnica sistematizada de lavado de manos y se repitió el procedimiento con el mismo material y aplicando la técnica enseñada. Se aplicaron las pruebas de McNemar y Wilcoxon con un nivel de confianza del 95%. Resultados: Las regiones que demostraron diferencia estadísticamente significativa fueron: Dorso interdigital meñique y anular izquierdo (p=0,021), Dorso interdigital medio e índice izquierdo (p=0,039), Dorso interdigital pulgar-índice derecho (p=0,031), Dorso muñeca izquierda (p0,001), Dorso muñeca derecha (p0,001), Dorso uña medio derecha (p=0,012), Dorso interdigital medio-anular derecha (p=0,012), Palmar muñeca izquierda (p0,001), Palmar muñeca derecha (p0,001).Fue estadísticamente significativa la diferencia a favor de que se mejoró el lavado de manos posterior a la intervención. Conclusiones: Todo procedimiento odontológico está ligado en forma inherente a las prácticas de control de higiene, empezando por la higiene de las manos, una de las formas de incluir en la enseñanza de esta práctica, podría ser la utilización de la témpera, pues visibiliza la calidad de la técnica del lavado de manos. Palabras claves: Estudiantes de Odontología, Lavado de manos, Higiene de las manos.
Aim: To evaluate a pedagogical method for the teaching of handwashing in dentistry students. Methodology: A quasi-experimental design was used, made in 2017,in which 26 students from the 2nd year of the Dentistry Department of the Faculty of Dentistry of the National University of Asunción participated, after presentation of informed consent, being 92% female and 96% right-handed. Hand washing evaluation was performed using the Artetesco® brand of red paint, which was administered to perform a current washing by the student with eyes closed, the result was recorded and later the technique was taught systematized handwashingan drepeated handwashing with the same material and applying the technique taught.TheMcNemar and Wilcoxon tests were applied with a confidence level of 95%. Results: The regions that showed a statistically significant difference were: Interdigital dorsum and left annulus (p=0.021), middle interdigital dorsu. The difference in favor of improving hand washing after the intervention was statistically significant. Conclusions: Every dental procedure is inherently linked to hygiene control practices, starting with hand hygiene, one of the ways to include in the teaching of this practice could be the use of tempera, quality of the handwashing technique. and left index (p=0.039), right interdigital dorsum (p0.001), right side of the wrist (p0.001), right side of the wrist (p0.001), right side of the wrist (p0.001), right side of the wrist (p0.001). Key words: Dentistry students, Hand washing, Hand hygiene