An experimental study concerning the effect of chronic irritation of corneocytes was made in relation to their number, size and shape. The desquamating portion of the stratum corneum was sampled with the detergent scrub technique using Triton X-100. The experimental subjects were scrub nurses who had worked in the operating room for more than 3 years and ward nurses were used as a control group. The corneocytes of skin irritated by daily scrubbing differed, from those of the non-irritated skin of the ward nurses. About twice as many cells were collected per cm2 skin surface from the scrub nurses on the first experimental day. Two and four days later the number was markedly decreased and became similar to that of the control group. The surface of the corneocytes was 15% smaller in the experimental group than that of the control group, through out the experiment. There was no significant difference between the two groups as regards corneocyte morphology.
Adult ; Epidermis/cytology* ; Female ; Handwashing* ; Human ; Soaps* ; Surface-Active Agents*

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to evaluate the public's awareness of the importance of hand washing and to compare perceptions on the habit of hand washing with actual hand washing behavior. METHODS: Data were collected by observing 2,800 participants washing their hands after using public restrooms in seven cities nationwide and by surveying 1,000 respondents (age > 14 years) through telephone interviews using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: Although 94% of the survey respondents claimed to mostly or always wash their hands after using public restrooms, only 63.4% of the observed participants did wash their hands after using public restrooms. Significant factors related to increased adherence to hand washing were female gender, approximate ages of 20 to 39 years by their appearance, and the presence of other people from the observation. About 79% of the survey respondents always washed their hands after using bathrooms at home, 73% washed their hands before handling food, and 67% washed their hands upon returning to their home. However, 93.2% and 86.3% of the survey respondents did not wash their hands after coughing or sneezing and after handling money, respectively. Although most of the survey respondents (77.6%) were aware that hand washing is helpful in preventing communicable diseases, 39.6% of the survey respondents did not do so because they were 'not accustomed' to washing their hands and 30.2% thought that washing their hands is 'annoying'. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first comprehensive report on hand washing behavior and awareness of the general population in Korea. The result of this study in terms of individual behavior and awareness of hand washing are comparable with similar studies conducted in other countries. However adherence to hand washing is still low and needs to be increased. The results of this study can be used as a baseline in setting up strategies and activities to Bpromote adherence to hand washing.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; *Handwashing ; *Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Toilet Facilities

No abstract available.
Hand Disinfection*

Purpose: This study aims to compare surgical scrubbing with and without a brush in decreasing the number of germ colonies on hands. Background: Surgical scrubbing with and without a brush are currently popular worldwide. To date, the optimal method in decreasing the number of germ colonies on the hands is not known. Methods: Systematic review of effectiveness was conducted. The databases and publisher websites included PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Wiley Online Library, Cochrane Library and recruitment studies published between 2009-2019. The risk of bias was assessed utilizing Cochrane Collaboration's tool. Results: Included clinical studies consisting of five randomized controlled trials. The procedures and duration of surgical scrubbing on each study varied depending on the protocol as a reference. All clinical studies found no difference in the number of colonyforming units (CFU) on the hand between surgical scrubbing with and without a brush. Conclusions Scrubbing with and without a brush showed similar efficacy in terms of the number of germ colonies on the hands.
Hand Disinfection

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare 1% chlorhexidine-gluconate/61% ethanol (CHG/Ethanol) emollient and 7.5% povidone-iodine (PVI) scrub for antimicrobial,residual effect, and skin condition. METHOD: CHG/Ethanol emollient hand hygiene was performed waterless, and brushless by operating doctors and nurses (N=20). PVI hand washing was performed with water and a brush (N=20) for 5 min. The subjects were asked to press their left hand in hand-shaped agar before a surgical scrub, immediately after a surgical scrub and after the operation. The amount of isolated microorganisms were calculated by counting the number of divided areas(1 X 1 cm, 160 cell) which were culture positive in the hand culture plate. The skin condition was evaluated. RESULT: The antimicrobial count of CHG/Ethanol emollient and PVI immediately post surgical scrub was 0.0 vs. 4.1 (p>.05), and after the operation was 0.1 vs. 37.8 (p>.05)respectively. The Residual effect of CHG/Ethanol emollient immediately post surgical scrub and after the operation were 0.0 vs. 0.1 (p>.05), and PVI were 4.1 vs. 37.8 (p>.05)respectively. The skin condition and satisfaction of CHG/Ethanol emollient was higher than PVI (p<.05). CONCLUSION: The antimicrobial effect between CHG/Ethanol emollient and PVI were the same. Considering skin condition, satisfaction and allergic reaction CHG/Ethanol emollient for surgical scrub is recommended in Korea.
Adult ; Anti-Infective Agents/*pharmacology ; Chlorhexidine/*analogs & derivatives/chemistry/pharmacology ; Colony Count, Microbial ; Ethanol/chemistry/*pharmacology ; Female ; Handwashing ; Humans ; Male ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Povidone-Iodine/chemistry/*pharmacology

Abstract: Access to handwashing areas is not as convenient as having alcohol in one’s pocket or bedside. Alternatively, cleaning the hands with alcohol can save us a lot of time and effort in disinfecting our hands thus giving us more time for patient care. If alcohol can be proven as effective as soap and water in hand disinfection, then residents and nurses may use this method of hand hygiene instead. Objective: To compare the efficacy of 70% isopropyl alcohol against standard handwashing in hand hygiene among medical residents and nurses at a tertiary hospital. Methods: Seventy-six doctors and nurses were randomly assigned to two groups with 38 subjects each. Group 1 used plain soap and water while group 2 used 70% isopropyl alcohol hand rub. hand swabbing was done before and after hand hygiene. The presence or absence of bacteria was compared for the same subject, before and after hand disinfection. The mean decrease in colony count in group 1 was compared to group 2. Results: Both groups were successful in reducing the mean colony count. Handwashing group had a decrease from 27.34 34 +33.17to 3.58+ 6.63 CFU, while the alcohol group from 21.5 + 31.13 to 0.76 + 1.48 CFU, both with p values <0.05. But in comparison, the mean changes for both groups were not statistically significant, therefore no intervention was superior to the other and both were equally effective. Conclusion Seven percent isopropyl alcohol is as effective as standard handwashing in disinfection. It is recommended to have 70% isopropyl alcohol at bedside/individually carried by doctors/nurses for easy access. Observation of proper hand washing technique should always be emphasized. Bacterial colony identification is ideal for future studies.
Hand Disinfection ; 2-Propanol ; Hand Hygiene

No abstract available.
Catheterization* ; Disinfection* ; Hand Hygiene* ; Rubber* ; Tourniquets*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine handwashing-related factors in nurses. Specific purposes of this study were to examine 1) the applicability of the hypothetical model constructed for this study, on the basis of Theory of Planned Behavior(TPB), and 2) relationships between handwashing practice and other variables such as age, career, level of education, and level of recognition about handwashing. METHOD: Data were collected from 187 nurses in one university hospital in Kyung-Ki province. RESULT: The hypothetical model based on TPB was revealed applicable, but the degree of the variance explaining handwashing practice was small(26%). Perceived behavioral control(PBC) was the most strong variable explaining handwashing practice, and intention didn't have a significant effect on handwashing practice. Norm and PBC had significant effects on intention, but attitude was not a significant factor of intention. Age, career, and the level of awareness of handwashing practice were significantly related to handwashing practice. CONCLUSION: The result of this study suggests that we should focus on perceived behavioral control, awareness of handwashing practice and subjective norm about handwashing practice to increase the level of nurses' handwashing practice.
Education ; Gyeonggi-do ; Hand Disinfection* ; Intention

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine handwashing-related factors in nurses. Specific purposes of this study were to examine 1) the applicability of the hypothetical model constructed for this study, on the basis of Theory of Planned Behavior(TPB), and 2) relationships between handwashing practice and other variables such as age, career, level of education, and level of recognition about handwashing. METHOD: Data were collected from 187 nurses in one university hospital in Kyung-Ki province. RESULT: The hypothetical model based on TPB was revealed applicable, but the degree of the variance explaining handwashing practice was small(26%). Perceived behavioral control(PBC) was the most strong variable explaining handwashing practice, and intention didn't have a significant effect on handwashing practice. Norm and PBC had significant effects on intention, but attitude was not a significant factor of intention. Age, career, and the level of awareness of handwashing practice were significantly related to handwashing practice. CONCLUSION: The result of this study suggests that we should focus on perceived behavioral control, awareness of handwashing practice and subjective norm about handwashing practice to increase the level of nurses' handwashing practice.
Education ; Gyeonggi-do ; Hand Disinfection* ; Intention

This research aimed to survey foodservice hygiene management practices performed by principals and teachers as well as examine foodservice employees' hygiene knowledge in kindergartens. Surveys were administered to principals, teachers, and foodservice employees at 392 kindergartens. The total average score of six categories was 4.28 out of 5.0. Average score of the production process management category was the lowest at 3.90 while safety management was the highest at 4.69. Other average scores were as follows: facilities and equipment 4.20, personal hygiene 4.14, food ingredient control 4.35, and environmental sanitation 4.39. Teachers' foodservice hygiene management practices scored 3.8 points out of 5 on average. Hygiene knowledge of foodservice employees was also tested. The mean score of foodservice hygiene knowledge was 76.29%. The lowest scoring category was personal hygiene, suggesting that foodservice employees require more knowledge on proper personal hygiene practices. Possession rates of dish sterilizer, ultraviolet sterilizer, and hand washing facilities in the kitchen were low. These equipment installation rates should be raised accordingly. To enhance control of foodservice hygiene, kindergarten management should pay more attention to education and training related to foodservice sanitation.
Hand Disinfection ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Safety Management ; Sanitation