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

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

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

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the baseline levels of microorganisms' growth on the hands of anesthesiologists and in the anesthesia environment at a cancer hospital. METHODS: This study performed in nine operating rooms and among 25 anesthesiologists at a cancer hospital. Sampling of the hands of anesthesiologists and the anesthesia environment was performed at a ready-to-use operating room before patient contact began and after decontamination. RESULTS: Microorganisms' growth results showed that 20% (5/25) of anesthesiologists' hands carried microorganisms (> 10 CFU/cm ²) before patient contact began. Female anesthesiologists performed hand hygiene better than did their male counterparts, with fewer CFUs ( P = 0.0069) and fewer species ( P = 0.0202). Our study also found that 55.6% (5/9) of ready-to-use operating rooms carried microorganisms (> 5 CFU/cm ²). Microorganisms regrowth began quickly (1 hour) after disinfection, and increased gradually over time, reaching the threshold at 4 hours after disinfection. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the hands of 20% (5/25) of anesthesiologists and 33.3% (3/9) of operating rooms. CONCLUSION Our study indicates that male anesthesiologists need to pay more attention to the standard operating procedures and effect evaluation of hand hygiene, daily cleaning rate of the operating room may be insufficient, and we would suggest that there should be a repeat cleaning every four hours.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Anesthesia ; Anesthesiologists/statistics & numerical data* ; Disinfection/standards* ; Hand Hygiene/statistics & numerical data* ; Staphylococcal Infections ; Operating Rooms/statistics & numerical data* ; Staphylococcus aureus/isolation & purification*

Since its emergence in December 2019, corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has impacted several countries, affecting more than 90 thousand patients and making it a global public threat. The routes of transmission are direct contact, and droplet and possible aerosol transmissions. Due to the unique nature of dentistry, most dental procedures generate significant amounts of droplets and aerosols, posing potential risks of infection transmission. Understanding the significance of aerosol transmission and its implications in dentistry can facilitate the identification and correction of negligence in daily dental practice. In addition to the standard precautions, some special precautions that should be implemented during an outbreak have been raised in this review.
Aerosols ; Betacoronavirus ; Coronavirus Infections ; prevention & control ; transmission ; Cross Infection ; prevention & control ; Dentistry ; Hand Hygiene ; Humans ; Infection Control ; methods ; Pandemics ; prevention & control ; Personal Protective Equipment ; Pneumonia, Viral ; prevention & control ; transmission

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the work environment related to the handling and administration of antineoplastic drugs in the members of the Korean Oncology Nursing Society.METHODS: The study was carried out from October 2018 to November 2018. The self-reported surveys included questions on the work environment, experience and concerns from occupational exposure, safe activities of antineoplastic drugs and use of personal protective equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, and type of PPE (e.g., gown, gloves, and mask).RESULTS: A total of 125 participants from 41 organizations were surveyed. The nurses were mostly educated on safe management of antineoplastic drugs (95.2%) and concerned about health threats caused by occupational exposure (7.23±2.14 out of 10). In addition, harmful activities were found, with gown use being the lowest when handling antineoplastic drugs.CONCLUSION: This study supports that appropriate staffing, equipment, and facilities, mandatory education, and establishment of policies are very important in creating a safe work environment for handling antineoplastic drugs.
Antineoplastic Agents ; Education ; Hand Hygiene ; Occupational Exposure ; Oncology Nursing ; Personal Protective Equipment ; Safety Management

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess hand hygiene (HH) compliance among visitors at a long-term care hospital in South Korea. METHODS: The study was conducted at a 502-bed long-term care hospital located in Gyeonggi-do Province. From July 1 to August 15, 2017, including more than 6 weekends and one holiday, a trained observer covertly assessed visitors' HH at all five units (360 beds in total) of the study hospital building until the completion of 1,000 HH opportunities (i.e., 200 opportunities per unit). The modified World Health Organization (WHO) HH observation form was used. Instead of professional categories and the “before clean/aseptic procedure” moment, the estimated age range for each visitor were recorded in four categories: children (<14 years old), adolescents (14~18), adults (19~64), and the elderly (≥65). The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0. RESULTS: A total of 1,000 HH opportunities were observed from 766 visitors (an average of 1.31 per visitor) and the overall HH compliance rate was 20.3%. Overall, 53.7% of the HH cases were performed with soap and water. Among the 4 HH moments, the “after body fluid exposure risk” moment showed the highest compliance rate (83.5%); 93.9% used soap and water. The most commonly exposed potential body fluid among visitors was saliva (48.1%). CONCLUSION: For hospital visitors in long-term care hospitals, HH education programs including HH moments need to be developed and implemented. Further studies are necessary to evaluate visitors' HH compliance in various hospital settings and find the related variables influencing visitors' HH.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Body Fluids ; Child ; Compliance ; Education ; Gyeonggi-do ; Hand Hygiene ; Hand ; Holidays ; Humans ; Korea ; Long-Term Care ; Observational Study ; Saliva ; Soaps ; Visitors to Patients ; Water ; World Health Organization

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the meanings of hands among clinical nurses.METHODS: A descriptive qualitative study design was used. Participants were 1,048 nurses working in a tertiary hospital in G city. From April to May 2018, an open-ended survey on how nurses felt about their hands and what their hands meant to them was conducted. The collected data were analyzed using MAXQDA 2018 version as well as content analysis.RESULTS: A total of 1,048 pieces of data were analyzed, and 2,094 units of analysis were categorized based on their attributes, resulting in physical, emotional, and social domains. The data in the social domain were reported in a narrative format; thus, they were analyzed using content analysis. Three themes and eight sub-themes were elicited. The three themes included “meaning as an instrument,” “meaning of infection control,” and “meaning of caring.”CONCLUSION: Nurses imbue essential meanings of caring on their hands even though they face negative skin symptoms. Furthermore, nurses understand the importance of hand hygiene on infection control. The findings of this study provide an in-depth look into nurses' perceptions of their hands.
Empathy ; Hand Disinfection ; Hand Hygiene ; Hand ; Infection Control ; Skin ; Tertiary Care Centers

Background: Health care associated infections (HCAI) lead to prolonged hospital stays, serious illnesses, and long-term disabilities, thereby become an economic burden to both patients and families. Substantial evidence demonstrated the effectiveness of hand hygiene in preventing the spread of infection. Study results would help improve campaign practices among hospital staff to reduce HCAI, hospitalization costs and enhance safety among patients and health care workers Objective: This study determined the knowledge, perception and practices on hand hygiene among the health care workers of Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City. Design: A cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: There were 166 respondents. Majority (94.58%) had adequate knowledge, positive perception (98.80%) and correct practices (89.16%) on hand hygiene. Mean knowledge (p<0.01) scores were significantly higher for the resident physicians compared to other health care workers. However, mean practice scores were higher (p<0.01) for other health care workers compared to resident physicians. There was no significant difference on the mean perception score (p=0.59). Conclusion This study reflects a high level of awareness on hand hygiene among the health care workers in Southern Philippines Medical Center. This over-all good performance was attributed to daily campaign on hand hygiene heard on PA system, reminders posted on every working area, availability of alcohol- based hand rub, and on- the-spot hand hygiene performance which positively affects compliance to hand hygiene among HCWs of this Institution.
Knowledge ; Attitude ; Hand Hygiene ; Nurses