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Fecal contamination in child day care centers: cloth vs paper diapers
B Holaday1, G Waugh, V E Moukaddem
1Family and Health Systems Nursing, School of Nursing, Peabody College.
Insights
This study found no significant difference in fecal contamination between cloth and paper diapers in child day care centers. Environmental hygiene practices are crucial regardless of diaper type used.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Microbiology
- Pediatric Care
Background:
- Fecal contamination in child day care centers poses a significant health risk.
- Diaper choice is a potential factor influencing environmental hygiene.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare fecal contamination levels associated with cloth versus paper diapers in day care settings.
- To assess the impact of diaper type on microbial presence in play areas, changing stations, and on individuals.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study was conducted in four licensed child day care centers.
- Microbial samples were collected from various surfaces and individuals over two 4-week periods, with centers alternating diaper types.
- Fecal bacteria presence was analyzed using standard microbiological techniques.
Main Results:
- A total of 1722 samples were cultured, revealing varied frequencies of fecal organism isolation.
- Contamination was observed across different areas, including sink faucets and hands of caregivers and children.
- No statistically significant difference in the frequency or intensity of fecal contamination was found between cloth and paper diapers.
Conclusions:
- The type of diaper (cloth or paper) did not significantly influence fecal contamination levels in the studied child day care centers.
- Environmental hygiene practices, such as handwashing and surface disinfection, remain critical for mitigating contamination risks.
- Further research may explore other contributing factors to fecal contamination in these settings.
Objectives:
Cloth diapers with front closure and all-in-one design were compared with paper diapers containing absorbent gel material for their influence on fecal contamination of the environment in licensed child day care centers.
Methods:
One infant room and two toddler rooms in each of four day care centers were monitored for the presence of fecal bacteria. Microbial samples were taken from the play/sleep area, the diaper-changing area, and the hands of the caregivers and the children. Sampling was done twice weekly for two 4-week periods. Each center used either cloth or paper diapers during the first period, changing to the other diaper type during the second period.
Results:
A total of 1722 samples were cultured, 881 during the first 4 weeks and 841 during the second 4 weeks. The frequency of isolation of fecal organisms ranged from a low of 12% of the total bacteria isolates at a center using cloth diapers, to highs of 46% and 45%, respectively, at a center using first paper and then cloth diapers. Sink faucets and the hands of the caregivers and the children were often contaminated.
Conclusions:
Analysis of the results of comparisons between cloth and paper diapers showed no significant difference in the frequency (F = .380, P < .535) or the intensity of fecal contamination in child day care centers.