ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Hands are the most common medium for initiation and spread of infection in clinics. Hand hygiene is the simplest and most economic method for reducing the healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs). AIM: The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of hand sanitizer, liquid soap, and their combination for reducing the microbial colonies on hands. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was a single-blinded randomized controlled trial executed in a dental college on 90 participants, which were randomly assigned into three intervention groups of 30 each. The participants were instructed to contaminate their hands followed by a hand hygiene protocol for the liquid hand-wash group, the alcohol-based hand sanitizer (ABHS) group, and the combination group according to WHO guidelines. The swabs were collected pre- and post-intervention and mean colony-forming units were determined for each group. RESULTS: Median percentage reduction was highest for the combination group (100%), followed by the ABHS group (94.29%) and lowest for the liquid soap (92.31%). This difference in the amount of colony-forming units (CFU) among all the groups was nonsignificant (p = 0.114). CONCLUSION: The results of the study show that there was no significant difference in hand disinfection potential among hand sanitizer, liquid soap, or their combination. All the three interventions were equally effective with the reduction of total bacterial contamination from participants' hands. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Khairnar MR, Anitha G, Dalvi TM, Kalghatgi S, Datar UV, Wadgave U, et al. Comparative Efficacy of Hand Disinfection Potential of Hand Sanitizer and Liquid Soap among Dental Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Indian J Crit Care Med 2020;24(5):336-339.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Nurses are the professional group who most often provide care. Studies have shown that oral healthcare is being neglected by general healthcare professionals, including nurses. With proper health-related behaviour, knowledge and attitude, they can play an important role in health education and act as a role model for patients. The aim of the study was to assess knowledge, attitude and practices related to oral health among nursing (Bsc) students in Davangere city, Karnataka, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 365 BSc Nursing students at their college premises in Davangere city. Data was collected using 25 items self-administered questionnaire which was validated. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student's unpaired t tests were used considering p ≤0.05 as statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean knowledge scores of final and third year nursing students were significantly higher than the first and second year students (p = 0.01). The majority of the students felt the need for regular visits to dentist (72.6%) and felt that oral healthcare was an important part of nursing care (91.2%). They also felt the need to collaborate with dentists (78.1%). The majority of them brushed their teeth twice daily (74.2%) and had the habit of mouth rinsing (67.4%) and referred their patients to dentists (61.4%). CONCLUSION: The knowledge related to oral health among nursing students was good. The majority believed that oral healthcare was an important part of nursing care, hence the training of nursing students pertaining to oral health education and upgrade of their academic curriculum should be prioritised.
