With the growing emphasis on maternal and child oral health, the significance of managing oral health across preconception, pregnancy, and infancy stages has become increasingly apparent. Oral health challenges extend beyond affecting maternal well-being, exerting profound influences on fetal and neonatal oral development as well as immune system maturation. This expert consensus paper, developed using a modified Delphi method, reviews current research and provides recommendations on maternal and child oral health management. It underscores the critical role of comprehensive oral assessments prior to conception, diligent oral health management throughout pregnancy, and meticulous oral hygiene practices during infancy. Effective strategies should be seamlessly integrated across the life course, encompassing preconception oral assessments, systematic dental care during pregnancy, and routine infant oral hygiene. Collaborative efforts among pediatric dentists, maternal and child health workers, and obstetricians are crucial to improving outcomes and fostering clinical research, contributing to evidence-based health management strategies.
Humans ; Pregnancy ; Female ; Infant ; Consensus ; Mouth Diseases/therapy* ; Pregnancy Complications/therapy* ; Oral Health ; Infant, Newborn ; Delphi Technique ; Oral Hygiene

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential mechanisms of sepsis pathogenesis in intensive care unit (ICU), with a specific focus on the role of skin microbiota, and to evaluate the causal relationships between skin microbiota and ICU sepsis using Mendelian randomization (MR). METHODS: A two-sample MR analysis was performed using skin microbiota genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data from German population cohorts as exposures, combined with ICU sepsis susceptibility and 28-day mortality GWAS summary data from the IEU OpenGWAS database as outcomes. The primary causal effect estimates were generated using the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method, supplemented by validation through MR-Egger and weighted median approaches. Heterogeneity and pleiotropy tests, along with sensitivity analyses, were conducted to evaluate the robustness of the results. RESULTS: Regarding risk of ICU sepsis, IVW analysis showed that order Pseudomonadales [odds ratio (OR) = 0.93, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 0.88-0.98], family Flavobacteriaceae (OR = 0.93, 95%CI was 0.90-0.96), and genus Acinetobacter (OR = 0.96, 95%CI was 0.93-0.99) were significantly negatively correlated with the risk of ICU sepsis (all P < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between the risk of ICU sepsis and the presence of β-Proteobacteria (OR = 1.05, 95%CI was 1.00-1.11) and Actinobacteria (OR = 1.05, 95%CI was 1.00-1.11), both P < 0.05. Regarding 28-day mortality of ICU sepsis, IVW analysis showed that phylum Bacteroidetes (OR = 0.92, 95%CI was 0.86-0.99), family Streptococcaceae (OR = 0.92, 95%CI was 0.85-0.98), family Flavobacteriaceae (OR = 0.90, 95%CI was 0.83-0.97), genus Streptococcus (OR = 0.92, 95%CI was 0.86-0.99), ASV016 [Enhydrobacter] (OR = 0.92, 95%CI was 0.87-0.98), and ASV042 [Acinetobacter] (OR = 0.92, 95%CI was 0.88-0.97) were significantly negatively correlated with the 28-day mortality of ICU sepsis (all P < 0.05); family Moraxellaceae (OR = 1.09, 95%CI was 1.00-1.18) and ASV008 [Staphylococcus] (OR = 1.08, 95%CI was 1.03-1.14) was significantly positively correlated with the 28-day mortality of ICU sepsis (both P < 0.05). Sensitivity analysis and MR-PRESSO showed no heterogeneity, pleiotropy, or horizontal pleiotropy between skin microbiota and ICU sepsis risk and 28-day mortality rate. Analysis of confounding factors showed that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with relevant skin bacteria could independently and causally affect the risk of ICU sepsis or ICU sepsis related mortality rate, independent of other confounding factors. The Steiger test results indicated that the established causal relationship was not due to reverse causality. CONCLUSIONS Skin microbiota composition may influence both sepsis susceptibility and 28-day mortality in ICU settings. Family Flavobacteriaceae demonstrated protective effects against sepsis onset and mortality. These findings provide new perspectives for early detection and management strategies.
Humans ; Sepsis/mortality* ; Intensive Care Units ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Microbiota ; Skin/microbiology* ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Risk Factors ; Skin Microbiome

Humans ; Adolescent ; Acne Vulgaris/therapy* ; Skin Care ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Cognition ; China ; Skin

Introduction: Soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) remains to be highly prevalent in the Philippines, despite the implementation of school-based bi-annual mass drug administration and other preventive measures under the Garantisadong Pambata Program by the Department of Health (DOH). Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study determined the association between the level of knowledge and the actual practices of family care givers in the prevention of STH among school-age children belonging to low-income families in an urban barangay. Results: Among 193 respondents, 97.93% had good level of knowledge of STH prevention and control, 83.42% had good hand hygiene practices, but only 39.90% adhered to the recommended bi-annual anti-helminthic prophylaxis for their school-aged children. A positive association was noted between level of knowledge and actual hand hygiene practices, but this was not statistically significant (i.e., prevalence odds ratio = 5.3, p = 0.129). Among those who did not comply with the bi-annual anti-helminthic administration, there was a prevalence odds ratio (POR) of 0.66 that the family care giver was knowledgeable on STH prevention and control, and this negative association was not statistically significant (i.e., p = 0.529). Conclusion Level of knowledge on STH prevention was positively associated with hand hygiene practices but was negatively associated with compliance with the bi-annual deworming prophylaxis. But these associations were not statistically significant.
Hand Hygiene

BACKGROUND

A “rejuvenating set” is composed of different skin products. A dilemma is that these are readily available despite containing active ingredients subject to regulation. There are several reports of side effects from use of these products.

This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices on Rejuvenating sets among patients.

This is a descriptive and observational study. Respondents answered a questionnaire covering the patient’s age, sex, educational attainment, occupation, monthly income, marital status, consumer behavior and preference in selection, side effects, habits, and practices of rejuvenating set use.

A total of 108 participated in this study. Majority belong to the age of 18-25 years old (42.9%), are female (65.7%), single (76.9%), and unemployed (73.3%). Sunscreen was the most common product used (51.4%). Advertisements in television was the most common factor considered during purchase (28.6%) and most were purchased at drugstores (30.5%). Majority of participants used rejuvenating sets daily (40%) for 1-3 months (32.4%). Most were unaware of the possible adverse effects (56.2%) and did not consult a physician prior to use (84.9%). There was a lack in knowledge on the composition of rejuvenating sets in terms of regulated ingredients (55.2%). A few reported signs and symptoms such as redness (33.3%), dryness (28.6%), and stinging (24.8%) after use.

This study serves as a tool to increase discourse on rejuvenating sets. With the rise in popularity and availability and lack of studies on the side effects, it is imperative that further similar studies be made.

INTRODUCTION: Widespread mask use is an important intervention for control of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. However, data on the factors affecting mask use are lacking. In this observational study, we evaluated the proportion of and factors influencing face mask use and related hygiene practices. METHODS: We observed randomly selected members from the public in 367 venues across Singapore, and recorded the proportion of individuals with full compliance with mask use and mask hygiene (hand hygiene before and after touching the mask or face). Logistic regression analyses were used to determine variables associated with mask and hand hygiene compliance. RESULTS: We made 3,821 observations - 2,149 (56.2%) females, 3,569 (93.4%) adults (≥21 years), 212 (5.5%) children (6-20 years) and 40 (1.0%) children (2-5 years). The overall full compliance rate (correct mask use), poor compliance rate (incorrect mask use) and absent mask use were 84.5%, 12.9% and 2.6%, respectively. The factors - male gender, fabric mask usage and crowded indoor venues - were associated with lower mask compliance. Face or mask touching behaviour was observed in 10.7% and 13.7% of individuals observed, respectively. Only one individual performed hand hygiene before and after touching the mask. CONCLUSION The rate of mask compliance was high, probably due to legislation mandating mask usage. However, specific factors and crowded indoor venues associated with lower mask compliance were identified. We also noted an issue with the absence of hand hygiene before and after face or mask touching. These issues may benefit from targeted public health messaging.
Humans ; COVID-19/epidemiology* ; Singapore ; Masks ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Child ; Adolescent ; Hand Hygiene ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Young Adult ; Child, Preschool ; Pandemics/prevention & control* ; Middle Aged ; Patient Compliance/statistics & numerical data*

With the communicable diseases headlining several media platforms, hand washing remains the most effective way to remove germs and help prevent the spread of microorganisms -- when done correctly. Proper hand hygiene plays an essential role in reducing the occurrence of transmitting microbes. This descriptive quantitative research study primarily aims to assess the knowledge, practices, and skills of a Private Higher Educational Institution university personnel and students towards Proper Hand Washing. Data was obtained using Google Forms from 316 participants of Holy Angel University personnel and students aged 18 years old and above. The majority, or 54%, of participants had a high level of hand hygiene knowledge, good hand hygiene practices (52%), and proficient hand hygiene skills (72%). Overall, the university personnel and students demonstrated good knowledge and skills, and practices towards hand hygiene. Results can inform programs and policies to improve handwashing as a protective measure against viral infections.
Hand hygiene ; knowledge ; practices ; skills ; COVID-19 ; HEI ; students ; faculty

Objective: To explore the sound insulation, sound absorption and other noise reduction transformation methods in a noise workshop handover control room. Methods: In December 2021, through the occupational health investigation and on-site testing of the handover control room of a noise workshop, the causes of excessive noise were analyzed, and the transformation design scheme to reduce noise was proposed and the effect was analyzed. Results: Before the transformation, the peak frequency band noise intensity of the noise workshop handover control room was 112.8 dB (A), and the peak frequency was 1000 Hz. After noise reduction, the theoretical calculated control value was 61.0 dB (A), and the measured noise intensity was 59.8 dB (A) . Conclusion: The noise intensity of the handover control room is reduced after noise reduction, which is in line with the contact limit requirements of the control room in GBZ 1-2010 "Hygienic Standards for the Design of Industrial Enterprises", and has reference significance for noise control engineering.
Noise/prevention & control* ; Occupational Health ; Industry ; Reference Standards ; Hygiene ; Noise, Occupational/prevention & control*

During the recent emergence of COVID-19, an increased practice of hand hygiene coincided with the reduced incidence of the norovirus epidemic in Japan, which is similar to experience with the pandemic flu in 2009. We investigated the relationship between the sales of hand hygiene products, including liquid hand soap and alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and the trend of norovirus epidemic. We used national gastroenteritis surveillance data across Japan in 2020 and 2021 and compared the base statistics of incidence of these two years with the average of the previous 10 years (2010-2019). We calculated the correlations (Spearman's Rho) between monthly sales of hand hygiene products and monthly norovirus cases and fitted them to a regression model. In 2020, there was no epidemic, and the incidence peak was the lowest in recent norovirus epidemics. In 2021, the incidence peak was delayed for five weeks to the usual epidemic seasons. Correlation coefficients between monthly sales of liquid hand soap and skin antiseptics and norovirus incidence showed a significantly negative correlation (Spearman's Rho = -0.88 and p = 0.002 for liquid hand soap; Spearman's Rho = -0.81 and p = 0.007 for skin antiseptics). Exponential regression models were fitted between the sales of each hand hygiene product and norovirus cases, respectively. The results suggest hand hygiene using these products is a potentially useful prevention method against norovirus epidemics. Effective ways of hand hygiene for increasing the prevention of norovirus should therefore be studied.
Humans ; Japan/epidemiology* ; COVID-19 ; Hand Hygiene ; Soaps ; Anti-Infective Agents, Local ; Norovirus

Background: The community plays a crucial role in practising effective hand hygiene to prevent disease transmission. Several studies conducted on hand hygiene practices among healthcare practitioners show positive outcomes in decreasing disease transmission particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, studies related to hand hygiene among adults in the local communities are scant. Aim: This study aimed to determine 1) the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice of hand hygiene, and 2) the relationship between demographic factors and hand hygiene practice among adults in a local community in Penang. Methods: This was a cross-sectional quantitative survey combined with direct observation of hand hygiene practice. A self-administered questionnaire on knowledge and attitude towards hand hygiene, and an observational checklist of hand hygiene practice were adapted to measure the variables studied. Non-random quota sampling technique was used to recruit the required 398 sample size. Results: The study found that the level of knowledge using an internationally commonly used 12 item questionnaire was good. Attitude towards hand hygiene measured on another 7 item questionnaire was also good. A majority of the participants (73.9%) had a good level of hand hygiene practice. No significant relationship was found between age, gender, level of education, and hand hygiene practice. Conclusion Local health authorities are urged to continue to emphasise to the public on the importance of hand hygiene to reduce disease transmission in the community. Further studies are recommended to explore the possible barriers that hinder people from adopting good hand hygiene practice.
Adult ; Attitude ; Hand Hygiene ; Knowledge