scholarly journals Do they really wash their hands? Prevalence estimates for personal hygiene behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic based on indirect questions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Mieth ◽  
Maike Mayer ◽  
Adrian Hoffmann ◽  
Axel Buchner ◽  
Raoul Bell
Keyword(s):  
Social Desirability ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Hand Washing ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Hygiene Practices ◽  
Hygiene Measures ◽  
Prevalence Estimates ◽  
Self Reports ◽  
Crosswise Model

Abstract Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, billions of people have to change their behaviours to slow down the spreading of the virus. Protective measures include self-isolation, social (physical) distancing and compliance with personal hygiene rules, particularly regular and thorough hand washing. Prevalence estimates for the compliance with the COVID-19 measures are often based on direct self-reports. However, during a health crisis there is strong public pressure to comply with health and safety regulations so that people’s responding in direct self-reports may be seriously compromised by social desirability.Methods: In an online survey, an indirect questioning technique was used to test whether the prevalence of hygiene practices may be lower than in conventional surveys when confidentiality of responding is guaranteed. The Extended Crosswise Model is an indirect questioning technique that guarantees the confidentiality of responding. To the degree that direct self-reports are biased by social desirability, prevalence estimates of hygiene practices such as thorough hand washing based on the Extended Crosswise Model should be lower than those based on direct self-reports.Results: We analysed data of 1,434 participants. In the direct questioning group 94.5 % of the participants claimed to practice proper hand hygiene; in the indirect questioning group a significantly lower estimate of only 78.1 % was observed.Conclusions: These results indicate that estimates of the degree of commitment to measures designed to counter the spread of the disease may be significantly inflated by social desirability in direct self-reports. Indirect questioning techniques with higher levels of confidentiality seem helpful in obtaining more realistic estimates of the degree to which people follow the recommended personal hygiene measures. More realistic estimates of compliance can help to inform and to adjust public information campaigns on COVID-19 hygiene recommendations.

scholarly journals Do they really wash their hands? Prevalence estimates for personal hygiene behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic based on indirect questions

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Mieth ◽  
Maike M. Mayer ◽  
Adrian Hoffmann ◽  
Axel Buchner ◽  
Raoul Bell
Keyword(s):  
Social Desirability ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Hand Washing ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Hygiene Practices ◽  
Hygiene Measures ◽  
Prevalence Estimates ◽  
Self Reports ◽  
Crosswise Model

Abstract Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, billions of people have to change their behaviours to slow down the spreading of the virus. Protective measures include self-isolation, social (physical) distancing and compliance with personal hygiene rules, particularly regular and thorough hand washing. Prevalence estimates for the compliance with the COVID-19 measures are often based on direct self-reports. However, during a health crisis there is strong public pressure to comply with health and safety regulations so that people’s responding in direct self-reports may be seriously compromised by social desirability. Methods In an online survey, an indirect questioning technique was used to test whether the prevalence of hygiene practices may be lower than in conventional surveys when confidentiality of responding is guaranteed. The Extended Crosswise Model is an indirect questioning technique that guarantees the confidentiality of responding. To the degree that direct self-reports are biased by social desirability, prevalence estimates of hygiene practices such as thorough hand washing based on the Extended Crosswise Model should be lower than those based on direct self-reports. Results We analysed data of 1434 participants. In the direct questioning group 94.5% of the participants claimed to practice proper hand hygiene; in the indirect questioning group a significantly lower estimate of only 78.1% was observed. Conclusions These results indicate that estimates of the degree of commitment to measures designed to counter the spread of the disease may be significantly inflated by social desirability in direct self-reports. Indirect questioning techniques with higher levels of confidentiality seem helpful in obtaining more realistic estimates of the degree to which people follow the recommended personal hygiene measures. More realistic estimates of compliance can help to inform and to adjust public information campaigns on COVID-19 hygiene recommendations.

scholarly journals Do they really wash their hands? Prevalence estimates for personal hygiene behaviour during the coronavirus crisis based on indirect questions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Mieth ◽  
Maike Mayer ◽  
Adrian Hoffmann ◽  
Axel Buchner ◽  
Raoul Bell
Keyword(s):  
Social Desirability ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Public Information ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Information Campaigns ◽  
Hygiene Practices ◽  
Hygiene Behaviour ◽  
Hygiene Measures

Abstract Background: During the so-called coronavirus crisis, billions of people have to change their behaviours to slow down the pandemic. Protective measures include self-isolation, social (physical) distancing and compliance with personal hygiene rules, particularly regular and thorough hand washing. To adjust public information campaigns to the level of people’s commitment and to evaluate the effectiveness of these campaigns, valid information about the degree to which people comply with protective measures is desirable.Methods: However, during a health crisis there is strong public pressure to comply with health and safety regulations so that people’s responding in direct questionings may be seriously compromised by social desirability. Here we use an indirect questioning technique to test whether the prevalence of hygiene practices may be lower when confidentiality of responding is guaranteed.Results: In the direct questioning group 94.5 % of the participants claimed to practice proper hand hygiene; in the indirect questioning group a significantly lower estimate of only 78.1 % was observed.Conclusions: These results indicate that estimates of the degree of commitment to measures designed to counter the spread of the disease may be significantly inflated by social desirability in direct questionings. Indirect questioning techniques with higher levels of confidentiality seem helpful in obtaining more realistic estimates of the degree to which people follow the recommended personal hygiene measures.

A STUDY OF AWARENESS, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES TOWARDS COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN THE TEACHING COMMUNITY OF HIGHER EDUCATION

2021 ◽  
pp. 40-43
Author(s):  
C. M. Math ◽  
S. B. Javali ◽  
Mohan Sunkad
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
World Health ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Urban Teaching ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Attitude And Practice ◽  
Teaching Community ◽  
Rural Teaching

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The unprecedented global health crisis we are facing is affecting all parts of society and changing lives and livelihoods. International efforts have been applied to prevent the spread of the virus through personal hygiene, masks and social distancing as prevention measures. AIMS:To assess the Awareness, Attitude and Practices towards COVID-19 Pandemic in the Teaching Community. METHOD:An online survey consisting of self-rated questions related to Awareness, Attitude and Practices towards COVID-19 Pandemic in the Teaching Community was carried out between December 2020 and January 2021. The main outcome measures were awareness, attitude and practices towards COVID-19 Pandemic in the Teaching Community. RESULTS: 80 teaching community respondents participated in the survey. A signicant and positive correlation was seen between attitude and their practices (r=0.3110, p=0.0050). Asignicant differences were observed between age groups with mean attitude and practice scores (p<0.05) and urban teaching community have signicant and higher practice scores as compared to rural teaching community (p<0.05) CONCLUSION: Results indicate there is an average level of awareness, attitude and practice towards COVID-19 Pandemic in the Teaching Community. But urban teaching community have good attitude and practices towards the COVID-19. It is important to monitor and address the rural teaching community about the awareness, attitude and practices towards COVID-19 Pandemic after the lockdown.

scholarly journals Knowledge attitude and practices of oral and personal hygiene to prevent communicable diseases among students in and around the city of Mangalore. An epidemiological survey

2016 ◽  
Vol 06 (02) ◽  
pp. 035-039
Author(s):  
Amitha M. Hegde ◽  
Adrija Kar ◽  
Lekshmi R. ◽  
Minu Mathew
Keyword(s):  
Epidemiological Survey ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Hygiene Practices ◽  
Regional Language ◽  
Hygiene Measures ◽  
Percentile Scores ◽  
Sanitary Conditions ◽  
The City

Abstract Introduction: India is undergoing an epidemiologic, demo-graphic and health transition. The expectancy of life has increased, with consequent rise in degenerative diseases of aging and lifestyles. Nevertheless, communicable diseases are still dominant and constitute major public health issues. There are several factors associated with the control of communicable diseases, such as hygiene, sanitation and safe drinking water, which are interlinked. Inadequate sanitary conditions and poor hygiene practices play major roles in the increased burden of communicable diseases. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the knowledge about communicable diseases and practices of proper hygiene measures, among school going children in and around Mangalore, Karnataka. Methodology: A survey was conducted among the students of an English and Kannada medium school using a basic questionnaire. Results: An overall lower percentile scores were obtained by children from Kannada medium school. Conclusion: There is a definite need for intense campaigns for the promotion of good oral and personal hygiene practices better aimed at the prevention of communicable diseases in local regional language medium schools in India.

Plagiarism in Student Papers: Prevalence Estimates Using Special Techniques for Sensitive Questions

2011 ◽  
Vol 231 (5-6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabethen Coutts ◽  
Ben Jann ◽  
Ivar Krumpal ◽  
Anatol-Fiete Näher
Keyword(s):  
Potential Problem ◽  
Social Desirability Bias ◽  
Classroom Setting ◽  
Randomized Response ◽  
Web Surveys ◽  
Questioning Techniques ◽  
Prevalence Estimates ◽  
Self Reports ◽  
Crosswise Model ◽  
Sensitive Behavior

SummaryThis article evaluates three different questioning techniques for measuring the prevalence of plagiarism in student papers: the randomized response technique (RRT), the item count technique (ICT), and the crosswise model (CM). In three independent experimental surveys with Swiss and German university students as subjects (two web surveys and a survey using paper and- pencil questionnaires in a classroom setting), each of the three techniques is compared to direct questioning and evaluated based on the “more-is-better” assumption. According to our results the RRT and the ICT failed to reduce social desirability bias in self-reports of plagiarism. In contrast, the CM was more successful in eliciting a significantly higher rate of reported sensitive behavior than direct questioning. One reason for the success of the CM, we believe, is that it overcomes the “self-protective no” bias known from the RRT (and which may also be a potential problem in the ICT).We find rates of up to 22 percent of students who declared that they ever intentionally adopted a passage from someone else’s work without citing it. Severe plagiarism such as handing in someone else’s paper as one’s own, however, seems to be less frequent with rates of about 1 to 2 percent.

scholarly journals General population perceptions of risk in the Covid-19 pandemic: A Romanian case study

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-124
Author(s):  
Liliana Popescu ◽  
Cristiana Vîlcea
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Educational Status ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Economic Changes ◽  
Perceptions Of Risk ◽  
Active Involvement ◽  
Hygiene Practices ◽  
Preventative Measures ◽  
Almost All

Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has created complex socio-political situations, as the health crisis was paralleled by the reshaping of lifestyle patterns and induced severe economic changes. By means of an online survey, this study aims to investigate the population perceptions of risk in Romania: it examines important psychological and social factors related to risk perception and behaviours, as well as attitudes toward quarantine and physical distancing. By means of statistical analysis, the data were analysed and a GIS environment was used to visualise data distributions. Our findings indicate that if the perceived risk associated to the epidemic is high, people will change their normal behaviours, adopt preventative measures, adhere to strict hygiene practices and are willing to self-isolate for the benefit of their peers, which they tend to see as running a greater risk than themselves. Women and people with higher educational status tend to be more worried about the current situation, but regarding the severity, almost all men believe they would risk a severe state if infected. In conclusion, the perception of high risk associated with COVID-19 can lead not only to positive behavioural changes (mainly physical distancing and improved hygiene), but also to a rapid mobilisation and active involvement of communities, which are vital for stopping transmission of the virus.

scholarly journals Assessment of Hand-Washing Habits Among Secondary School Students in Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 1924-1930
Author(s):  
Ali Ibrahim Noshili
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Hand Washing ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
School Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Running Water ◽  
Increased Risk

The health effects of infectious diseases affecting school-aged children continue to be a source of concern in the majority of low- and middle-income nations, owing to poor personal hygiene habits and insufficient sanitary facilities in public primary schools. Schoolchildren and primary school pupils are at increased risk due to a lack of attention to a fundamental yet crucial aspect of personal hygiene, such as continually washing hands with soap under running water, and even due to a lack of information of correct hand washing with soap practice. In recent years, public health concerns about communicable diseases such as respiratory infection and pneumonia have increased. The majority of school students are more exposed to infectious risk factors as a result of their frequent engagement in unhealthy behaviors. The purpose of this study is to determine the handwashing habits of Saudi Arabian secondary school students. The study employed a cross-sectional design in which an online survey was used to assess handwashing habits. Boys and girls from Saudi Arabia's secondary schools were included in the population. Statistical software was used to synthesize and analyze the data collected. The findings indicate that there was a relatively high level of commitment to hand washing. Additionally, findings indicated that the primary reason for skipping hand washing was a lack of recall. When it comes to handwashing materials in schools, the majority of participants prefer water and soap. The study discovered that the majority of secondary school students are unaware of the dangers associated with improper handwashing. Regression analysis revealed that there are significant predictors of handwashing commitment. Factors influencing secondary school students' handwashing habits include their region, academic year, gender, age, and parent's education. Thus, hygiene education programs in schools and communities should be implemented to raise awareness about the importance of hand hygiene.

scholarly journals THE EFFECTIVENESS OF STRUCTURED TEACHING PROGRAMME ON KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE REGARDING ENVIRONMENTAL AND PERSONAL HYGIENE AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manish Saxena Manish Saxena ◽  
Dr. Rajendra Prasad Sharma sharma
Keyword(s):  
School Children ◽  
Hand Washing ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Teaching Programme ◽  
Hygiene Practices ◽  
Adequate Knowledge ◽  
Trained Staff ◽  
Knowledge And Practice ◽  
Hygiene Education ◽  
Sanitary Conditions

A study regarding poor hygiene and inadequate sanitary conditions play major roles in the increased burden of communicable diseases. The study evaluated the knowledge, attitude, practice of hygiene among rural school children in Ethiopia; about 669 students were in grades 1-6, and they were interviewed by trained staff. Data consisted of hygiene and hand washing practices, knowledge about sanitation, personal hygiene characteristics. Approximately 52% of students were having adequate knowledge of hygiene, only 36.2% reported using soap, and of the 76.7% of students who reported hand washing after defecation, only 14.8% reported actually following this practice. Study findings underscore the need for more hand washing and hygiene education in schools. The first concept in personal hygiene is the positive and negative emotions that affect physical health, such as feeling pride in being neat and clean or feeling frustration in using hygiene tools. The second concept is personal hygiene practices such as hand washing, oral hygiene etc. The third concept is the fact that germs can lead to common diseases such as the flu or a cold. Nurses can use various techniques to help kids remember these.

Establishing Healthy Personal Hygiene Habits with Young Children in Australia: A Cross-Sectional Mixed Methods Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Amy E. Mitchell ◽  
Kavindri Kulasinghe ◽  
Alina Morawska
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Community Sample ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hygiene Practices ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Good Hygiene

Abstract Effective and consistent engagement in personal hygiene practices is important for preventing the acquisition and transmission of communicable diseases in childhood. This study aimed to investigate trends in adherence to recommended hygiene practices and identify factors contributing to difficulties in establishing good hygiene habits with young children (0–4 years) in Australia. A self-selected community sample of parents (N = 426) completed an online survey assessing children's adherence to recommended hygiene practices and barriers and enablers of establishing good personal hygiene habits. Parents reported interest in receiving information/tips on children's personal hygiene (yes/no) and nominated topics of interest. Less than half of children in any age group consistently (always/almost always) covered coughs and sneezes, washed hands after toileting, or washed hands before meals or when dirty. Children's non-compliance (i.e. resistance, refusal) was the most commonly reported barrier to establishing good personal hygiene habits, while children's compliance (i.e. cooperative behaviour, following or complying with caregivers’ instructions) was the most commonly cited enabler. Despite low levels of adherence, less than half (41.2%) of parents wanted information/tips on children's hygiene. Results suggest a disconnect between parents’ knowledge about recommended hygiene practices and actual behaviour. Development and testing of approaches to behaviour change that incorporate evidence-based strategies to manage children's resistance and support parents to encourage the development of healthy hygiene habits is warranted.

scholarly journals Access to safe water and personal hygiene practices in the Kulandia Refugee Camp (Jerusalem)

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamad Issa ◽  
Michael McHenry ◽  
Abdul Aziz Issa ◽  
R. Alexander Blackwood
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Refugee Camp ◽  
Hand Washing ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Health Clinic ◽  
Drinking Water Source ◽  
Safe Water ◽  
Diarrheal Illness ◽  
Hygiene Practices ◽  
Hygiene Education

Diarrheal illness, frequently associated with fecal-oral transmission, is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. It is commonly preventable through the implementation of safe water practices. This experiment concerns how to best implement safe water practices in a quasi-permanent refugee camp setting with limited ability for structural changes. Specifically, we explore how health promotion activities that help identify target groups for hygiene interventions can play a role in disease prevention. An anonymous survey was conducted at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency Health Clinic in the Kulandia refugee camp to assess the safe water and personal hygiene practices. Demographic and social characteristics, accessible water and personal hygiene characteristics, and gastrointestinal (GI) burden for individuals and their households were assessed. A total of 96 individuals were enrolled; 62 females and 34 males. Approximately 58% of the sample had soap available and washed hands before and after eating and when preparing food. Piped water was the main source of drinking water (62%), while 31% of our sample utilized tanker-trucks. 93% of participants had access to toilet facilities, with 86% of these facilities being private households. 55% practice extra water hygiene measures on their household drinking water source. 51.3% considered vendor cleanliness when they were buying food. 51% had received formal health education. 68.8% had been taught by their parents, but only 55.2% were teaching their children and 15.6% had consistent access to a health professional for hygiene inquiries. Individual variables and hygiene practices associated with lower rates of diarrheal illnesses included having water piped into the home, proper hand washing, adequate soap availability, proper consideration of vendor cleanliness, higher income, levels of education, health hygiene education, and having access to healthcare professions to discuss hygiene related matters. This is the first study to assess the water and personal hygiene practices at the Kulandia refugee ramp. This study demonstrates that hygiene education and better practices are closely associated with the rate at which individuals and households suffer from diarrheal illnesses within the Kulandia refugee camp. There are significant hygiene deficits in the camp, which likely result from a lack of formal hygiene education and a lack of awareness concerning the connection between diarrheal illness and hygiene. With respect to practices, our results elucidate several areas where basic, communal programming – including lessons on appropriate hand washing and food preparation – will likely improve hygiene practices and decrease overall GI burden.

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