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A Method to Test the Efficacy of Handwashing for the Removal of Emerging Infectious Pathogens
Published on: June 7, 2017
Impact of hand hygiene interventions on handwashing practices and microbial risk: A study in an orphanage-based
Afsheen Tunio1, Jamil Ahmed2, Muhammad Zakir Shaikh3
1Department of Water Sanitation and Hygiene, US Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Water (USPCASW), Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro, Pakistan.
Insights
Hand hygiene interventions significantly reduced bacterial contamination on children's hands in an orphanage school. Improved practices lower infection risks and enhance overall health outcomes for vulnerable populations.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Microbiology
- Child Health
Background:
- Orphaned children face increased disease susceptibility due to poor hand hygiene.
- Inadequate access to quality care impacts health in institutionalized children.
Purpose of the Study:
- Assess hand hygiene practices in an orphanage school.
- Determine bacterial load on children's hands before and after interventions.
- Evaluate the impact of hygiene practices on health risks.
Main Methods:
- Study involved all children at Save Our Souls orphanage school in Pakistan.
- Collected hand swab samples to quantify bacterial contamination.
- Utilized Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QRM) model for health risk prediction.
Main Results:
- Identified Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli as prevalent bacteria.
- Significantly reduced bacterial load post-intervention (S. aureus: 166 CFU/mL, E. coli: 185 CFU/mL).
- High bacterial ingestion linked to hand contamination and hand-to-mouth transfer.
Conclusions:
- Multicomponent hand hygiene interventions improved resource access and practices.
- Hygiene interventions are crucial for improving health and educational outcomes in orphanage schools.
- Findings highlight the need for targeted public health initiatives in institutional settings.
Background:
Orphaned children are often deprived of quality care, making them more susceptible to diseases due to inadequate hand hygiene. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of hand hygiene practices and detect bacterial loads on children's hands before and after hygiene interventions in an orphanage school.
Methods:
The study enrolled all the orphan children registered with the Save Our Souls children's orphanage school in Pakistan. Handwashing practices and swab samples from the hand was collected to evaluate the impact of hand hygiene practices on bacterial load. The Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment model was used to predict the health risk.
Results:
The study identified the 2 most common bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The bacterial contamination was significantly reduced after the intervention (S aureus 166 Colony-forming unit (CFU) /mL and E coli 185 CFU/mL). The higher bacterial ingestion rate was attributed to hand contamination and increased bacteria transfer from hand to mouth.
Conclusions:
The multicomponent hand hygiene intervention showed improvement in accessibility to hand hygiene resources and practices. The findings underscore the need for hygiene interventions in orphanage schools to improve health and educational outcomes.
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