scholarly journals Hand Hygiene Habits and Prevalence of Hand Eczema During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272110180
Author(s):  
Leelawadee Techasatian ◽  
Wilairat Thaowandee ◽  
Jitjira Chaiyarit ◽  
Rattapon Uppala ◽  
Phanthila Sitthikarnkha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Atopic Dermatitis ◽  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Hand Eczema ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Cross Transmission ◽  
History Of ◽  
Study Population

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the prevalence of and possible risk factors for hand eczema with respect to the dissemination of information about new hand hygiene habits to protect against ongoing COVID-19 cross-transmission. The authors conducted a survey among health care workers (HCWs) and non-HCW populations in Khon Kaen, Thailand. Results: A total of 805 participants participated. The prevalence of hand eczema in the study population was 20.87%. There were several risk factors, including working as a HCW, having a history of previous hand eczema, having underlying atopic dermatitis, wearing gloves in everyday life, and washing hands frequently (more than 10 times/day). Hand hygiene with alcohol-based products was shown to be a risk factor for hand eczema, (OR (95% CI) 1.86 (1.03-3.35), P = .04). Conclusion: In terms of hand eczema prevention, we suggest that the use of alcohol-based products should be discontinued if other handwashing methods are available. The following factors increase the risk of hand eczema: being a HCW, having previous hand eczema, and having underlying atopic dermatitis. Proper strategies in terms of hand eczema prevention should be addressed, especially in this group, since we need to continue performing hand hygiene during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION OF HANDS OF MEDICAL INTERNS AND UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 145
Author(s):  
Sunandha Senthil ◽  
Ashwini Hegde ◽  
Vaman Kulkarni ◽  
Radhakrishna M
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Nosocomial Infections ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Cross Transmission ◽  
Medical Interns

Objective: Cross-transmission by the hands of health-care workers is considered the main route of spread of nosocomial infections. Awareness among medical students and interns about the importance of hand hygiene practices and facilities for its adherence can play a major role in reducing disease transmission. The objectives of the present study were: (1) To determine the level and type of microbial contamination present on the hands of medical students and interns from a teaching hospital of Mangalore, Karnataka, and (2) to evaluate the relationship between hand contamination and knowledge, attitude, and practices of hand hygiene.Methods: Swabs were obtained from the dominant hand and the skin surface beneath the rings of participants during their routine work hours. Laboratory analysis was carried out within one hour of collection of samples. The participants were asked to fill a questionnaire on hand hygiene. Descriptive statistics and analysis was done by Chi-square test.Results: Of the 70 study participants, 35 (50%) were medical undergraduate students and 35 (50%) were medical interns. The contamination rate was higher among the undergraduates (91.4% [32/35]) compared to interns (77.1% [27/35]). 38 (54%) participants hands were contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus, of which 17 (44.7%) were methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Although overall knowledge status about hand hygiene was good, concepts about certain key elements in hand hygiene were not clearly understood by the participants. Knowledge about alcohol-based hand rubs was not up to the mark. The level of knowledge was found to be similar between UGs and interns and between the genders. Wearing ring while handling patients had an influence on hand contamination.Conclusions: Although the overall knowledge about hand hygiene was good, very few participants knew that hand hygiene after exposure to immediate surroundings of patient can prevent cross-transmission. Health-care workers may unknowingly carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria on their hands. Being unaware of this fact may have serious repercussions as the students and interns may serve as a medium for the spread of nosocomial infections.

Prevalence of Latex Allergy among Anesthesiologists 

1998 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 292-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert H. Brown ◽  
James F. Schauble ◽  
Robert G. Hamilton
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Immunoglobulin E ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Latex Allergy ◽  
Latex Glove ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
History Of

Background Occupational exposure to natural rubber latex has led to sensitization of health-care workers. However, the prevalence of latex allergy among occupationally exposed workers in American hospitals has not been reproducibly determined. The objectives of the current study were to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for latex sensitization among a cohort of highly exposed health-care workers. Methods Participants were 168 of 171 eligible anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists working in the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine. A clinical questionnaire was administered, and testing was performed using a characterized nonammoniated latex reagent for puncture skin testing, a Food and Drug Administration-approved assay to quantify latex-specific immunoglobulin E antibody in serum, and, when required for clarification, a validated two-stage (contact-inhalation) latex glove provocation procedure. Results The prevalence of latex allergy with clinical symptoms and latex sensitization without clinical symptoms was 2.4% and 10.1%, respectively. The prevalence of irritant or contact dermatitis was 24%. The risk factors identified for latex sensitization were atopy (odds ratio, 14.1; 95% CI, 1.8-112.1; P = 0.012); history of allergy to selected fruits, such as bananas, avocados, or kiwis (odds ratio, 9.8; 95% CI, 1.6-61.9; P = 0.015); and history of skin symptoms with latex glove use (odds ratio, 4.6; 95% CI, 1.6-13.4; P = 0.006). Conclusions The prevalence of latex sensitization among anesthesiologists is high (12.5%). Of these, 10.1% had occult (asymptomatic) latex allergy. Hospital employees may be sensitized to latex even in the absence of perceived latex allergy symptoms. These data support the need to transform the health-care environment into a latex-safe one that minimizes latex exposure to patients and hospital staff.

Stepping up detection, response, preparedness and readiness measures for “COVID-19”- A Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (SPL1) ◽  
pp. 1042-1047
Author(s):  
Khushbu Balsara ◽  
Deepankar Shukla
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Clinical History ◽  
Frontline Workers ◽  
Diagnostic Assays ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Short Period ◽  
History Of ◽  
Detection Response ◽  
Care Worker

In a very short period of time, “COVID-19” has seized the consciousness globally by making remarkable changes in our day to day living and has superintended as a public health emergency globally. It has high radar of transmission, affecting an individual at work to frontline workers. The measures and planning for a response plays a key role from drawing up an emergency committee and this follows an equation which broadly deals with epidemiological to clinical history of the patient, management steps from isolation, screening, diagnostic assays for identification and treatment. The application of an organized plan with secure structure aids in better performance, increases efficacy of management and saves time. Also saves time for a health care worker to g through routine levels of channels of administration if already a familiar way of operation is known for such situations. Thus, planning and developing a ‘blueprint of approach’ towards management of patient while facing such situation is a must. This review provides an insight to the measures for detection, response and preparedness of the hospital and health care workers should largely be inclusive of; also highlights the measures to be taken at every step after coming in contact with a positive case of “COVID-19”.

scholarly journals Comparison of prevalence and risk factors of somatization between Chinese health care workers and non-health care workers during COVID-19 outbreak

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiuli Song ◽  
Yongjie Zhou ◽  
Wenwang Rao ◽  
Xiangyang Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Medical Service ◽  
Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Dimension Score ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
High Prevalence

Abstract Background This study aimed to compare prevalence and risk factors of somatization (SOM) between health care workers and non-health care workers during COVID-19 outbreak in China. Methods From 14 February to 29 March 2020, an online survey was performed in both 605 health care workers and 1151 non-health care workers. Based on the somatization dimension score of the Symptom Checklist-90, participants were divided into non-SOM group and SOM group. Results Health care workers had higher prevalence rate of SOM (p < 0.001) than non-health care workers, with an OR of 1.70 (95% CI, 1.22–2.36, p = 0.002). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that in non-health care workers, the risk factors of SOM included other ethnicities, insomnia, and suicide, while in health care workers, the risk factors included working 6–8 h per day, and working ≥10 h per day during COVID-19 outbreak. Conclusions Our research suggests that both non-health care workers and health care workers have a relatively high prevalence of somatization. However, the related factors for somatization in both groups are significantly different, showing that medical service-related factors are associated with somatization in health care workers, while demographic and clinical factors are associated with somatization in non-health care workers.

scholarly journals Can We Expect Patients to Question Health Care Workers' Hand Hygiene Compliance?

2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 531-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie Reid ◽  
Jason Moghaddas ◽  
Michael Loftus ◽  
Rhonda L. Stuart ◽  
Despina Kotsanas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Hand Hygiene Compliance ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Hygiene Compliance

Knowledge and Practice of Health-care Workers regarding Hand Hygiene during Third Wave of COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 1198-1202
Author(s):  
M.l Fatima ◽  
M. Waqar ◽  
H. Qamar ◽  
M. Akram ◽  
F. Zia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Preventive Measure ◽  
Hospital Environment ◽  
Third Wave ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
Hygiene Measures

Background: Iatrogenic and nosocomial infections are a serious threat to a healthcare setting especially during a pandemic. Hand hygiene among the health-care workers stands out to be a pivotal preventive measure. Practical application of hand hygiene measures during third wave of COVID-19 pandemic primarily depend upon the current knowledge among the health care workers. Methods: A cross-sectional study design based on validated WHO questionnaire for hand hygiene among the health care workers was conducted during March till May2021 in the settings of Shalamar and Central Park hospital and medical colleges. Results: The sample consisted of 271 participants with 110 males and 161 females, with the mean age of 24.72+ 4.174 years. The sample consisted of 36.2% of medical students, 49.1% of doctors and 14.8% of paramedical staff. Nearly 50.6% of the individuals claim to receive formal training. 47.6% believe that “Health-care workers’ hands when not clean” are the main route of cross-transmission. Nearly 57.2% believed that the hospital environment (surfaces)the most frequent source of germs. Comparison of hand-rubbing and washing revealed that major percentage believe hand rub to be rapid however less effective causing dryness. A majority believe that hand hygiene before touching the patient, immediately after exposure to body fluids or immediate surroundings of patients prevents transmission of germs to the patient and vice versa afterwards prevents transmission to HCW. Conclusion: A large proportion of the sample has considerable knowledge regarding essential hand hygiene in a health care setting. However more frequent training sessions should be conducted to improve it further. Key words: Hand hygiene, Health-care workers, Knowledge

Results of a Survey of Cardiovascular Risk Factor Prevalence Amongst Health Care Workers

2000 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 84-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.R. McEwan ◽  
N.G. Dewhurst ◽  
F. Daly ◽  
C.D. Forbes ◽  
J.J.F. Belch
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Risk Profile ◽  
Royal Infirmary ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk Profile ◽  
Risk Factor Prevalence ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
High Prevalence

Summary analyses of screening data were used to ascertain the cardiovascular risk profile in a sample of health care workers in Scotland. A sample of NHS staff (298 women and 78 men) were screened during visits to Perth Royal Infirmary (PRI) in 1996 and 1997. Comparisons were made within subsets and with previous screening studies. Health care workers have been a neglected component of the workforce for receiving education about risk factors. The high prevalence of smokers found in this sample should be a cause for concern.

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