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COVID-19 has affected all aspects of human life so far. From the outset of the pandemic, preventing the spread of COVID-19 through the observance of health protocols, especially the use of sanitizers and disinfectants was given more attention. Despite the effectiveness of disinfection chemicals in controlling and preventing COVID-19, there are critical concerns about their adverse effects on human health. This study aims to assess the health effects of sanitizers and disinfectants on a global scale. A total of 91056 participants from 154 countries participated in this cross-sectional study through an electronic questionnaire. Results implied that detergents (67%), alcohol-based materials (56%), and chlorinated compounds (32%) were the most commonly used types of sanitizers and disinfectants. Most frequently reported health issues include skin complications 48.8% and respiratory complications 29.8%. The Chi-square test showed a significant association between chlorinated compounds with all possible health complications under investigation (p-value < 0.001). Examination of risk factors based on multivariate regression analysis showed that alcohols-based materials were associated with skin complications (OR, 1.98; 95%CI, 1.87–2.09), per-chlorine was associated with eye complications (OR, 1.83; 95%CI, 1.74–1.93), and highly likely with itching and throat irritation (OR, 2.00; 95%CI, 1.90–2.11). Furthermore, formaldehyde was associated with a higher prevalence of neurological complications (OR, 2.17; 95%CI, 1.92–2.44). The findings of the current study suggest that health authorities need to implement more awareness programs about the side effects of using sanitizers and disinfectants during viral epidemics.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Pruritus , Skin Diseases, Vascular , Central Nervous System DiseasesABSTRACT
BackgroundIndoor air quality is "of interest" to scientists and specialists in the fields of science because of its importance in maintaining the health of individuals, as the air can transmit various microbes, including pathogenic ones.Poor indoor air quality may significantly affect the increase in the incidence of various types of diseases, especially for those with immunodeficiency diseases. So, the hospital environment requires special attention to ensure healthy indoor air quality (IAQ) to protect the patient, patient's family, and health care workers from an infection acquired by hospitals and occupational diseases.ObjectivesThis study aimed to identify the different types of airborne bacteria and fungi among private and governmental health care institutions, An-Najah National University Hospital (NNUH) and Rafidia Governmental Surgical Hospital.Another aim was to evaluate the relationship between the spread of different types of them and the characteristics of the surrounding atmosphere such as temperature and humidity.As well as, it aimed to compare the results before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic; to find the effect of adhering to the public health and safety guidelines imposed by the Ministry of Health (MOH).Materials and MethodsSamples were collected by passive method from two different hospitals at five departments where most activities and tasks are performed inside, Besides two different sites outside the hospital, in an average of three hours. The positive colonies were identified by using several biochemical tests. Then, the Total Microbial Load (CFU/plate) was calculated for each plate.Furthermore, the temperature and humidity of each room from which samples were taken were also measured to find the relationship between them and the percentage of microbial airborne.ResultsThe predominant Gram-positive bacteria in Rafidia Governmental Surgical Hospital was S. aureus that presents in daycare and emergency departments, and Aer. hydrophila gr.1 among Gram-negative bacteria found in the surgical department. While in NNUH, the predominant Gram-positive bacteria were S. epidermidis and S. saprophyticus that present in departments of surgery and laboratories, respectively. and Pseudomonas luteola among Gram-negative bacteria found in daycare department.Also, the level of airborne microbial pollutants in Rafidia Governmental Surgical Hospital appeared in greater proportions than in NNUH, as it reached in Rafidia Governmental Surgical Hospital (12430.1188 CFU/m3), while in NNUH (11779.3501 CFU/m3)Besides, it was also found that the levels of microbial airborne in confined and crowded areas are much higher than in sparsely populated areas. Besides, the percentage was also high in rooms with high temperature and humidity.ConclusionsThe levels of airborne microbes were affected by the surrounding area according to the degree of crowding, temperature, and humidity. Because of these factors, we concluded that Rafidia Governmental Surgical Hospital is more polluted with microbial airborne, another reason could be due to the smallness of its facilities compared to NNUH. In this study, we will note the evidence and results that confirm our conclusion.Besides, compared with previous studies, we concluded that infection levels during the Corona pandemic period are lower than the pre-pandemic period, which means that there’s a commitment by the hospital’s staff and patients to the public health and safety guidelines imposed by MOH including the necessary sterilizations, wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing.**The comparison occurred in one common section between the two studies, which is the Department of Surgery
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COVID-19ABSTRACT
Introduction: Personal hygiene is important in maintaining food quality and health safety, so the low level of personal hygiene causes contamination leading to food spoilage and the occurrence of sick cases for consumers. Objective: This study was conducted under the Corona pandemic to verify food safety in Nablus old restaurants, Palestine, in the year 2021. Research methodology: This study covered 32 restaurants and 160 employees randomly selected. Data collection began between April and June in 2021 using 160 questionnaires that included 20 questions were answered by workers in these restaurants. Results: : Contamination with coliform bacteria was found in the restaurant samples with a percentage (42.5%), where the samples have taken from the tables having the highest contamination of this bacterium (50%). Furthermore, the data revealed that there was a relationship between coliform bacteria contamination and age, educational level, and food safety training, as the contamination being seen in the group that got the training, In contrast to those who didn't at the P-value <0.20. Conclusion: There was an association of bacterial contamination with age, especially among the younger group who were less concerned with hygiene and food safety practices compared to the elderly group. And it turns out that restaurant workers must be properly trained in food safety and monitored regularly.
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Objective: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of hand sanitizers against bacteria from circulating coins during COVID 19 era. Method: 22-coin samples have been collected by the research group from taxi drivers in Nablus city, Then the samples were transferred in a sterile plastic bag to the Microorganism Laboratory (17B1140) at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at An-Najah National University. The collected coins were swabbed with normal saline and cultured on nutrient agar for enrichment. After their appearance, the grown colony has been sub-cultured on Blood, MacConkey, and Uri select, for identification with the assistance of microscopical examination and chemical tests for confirmation. To answer the question of the study, four different sanitizers have been applied to measure their antimicrobial activity against microbes from circulating metal coins. Result: The results showed that sanitizer A (Hand sanitizer gel) (ג'ל להיגיינת הידיים ללא צורך , בשטיפה ובמים) is the most effective one of the four sanitizers that were used, followed by sanitizer (D)(HiGeen )(JO), then sanitizer (C)(National ) (PS), while sanitizer (B)(Icona London) (UK) was the least effective one. Conclusion: The research group have conducted research on coins circulated from taxi drivers during COVID 19 era, hence the number of isolated bacteria was low, due to the current sterilization and prevention behaviors like the using of sanitizers containing 70% of alcohol, which was the best among the used types in the current study as well as it has been observed that excessive use of alcohol- based hand sanitizers can cause microorganisms resistant and or less affected to repeated use of hand sanitizer. Hence, Hand sanitizers may need to be used appropriately in combination with other procedures.
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Background: Infection control had many developments in the COVID 19 pandemic, despite this, there were many complications in different health care facilities as well as dentists’ clinics due to the lack of infection control knowledge and compliance failure. Aim: To assess the level of knowledge and compliance with the infection control measures in the dental clinics in Nablus and Tulkarm districts. Method: A universal Sampling was used to assess the infection control program at the dental clinics in Nablus and Tulkarm District. The study sample involved 265 dentists. Data was collected using a questionnaire which has been sent via email between July and August 2020. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, One-way ANOVA and Post-Hock tests have been used. Statistical significance was set at ″P <0.05″. Cronbach's alpha has been conducted to ensure the reliability and validity of the questionnaire. Findings: The results showed that the total positive response regard all infection control domains were (70.0%). Whereas the participants gave the highest positive response for personnel protective equipment i.e gloving (96.10%), they gave the instruments related controls the lowest responses i.e instruments sterilization were (59.40%). The analyzed data showed significant statistical differences in the compliance with infection control measures between Nablus and Tulkarm districts “p < 0.05” in the interest of dentists from Tulkarm. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that there is a moderate compliance to infection control protocol in Nablus and Tulkarm dental clinics. Thus, there is a need to strengthen the adherence to infection control measures.