Assessment of the Effects of Teaching Germ Theory on Changes in Hygiene Behaviors, Cleanliness, and Diarrheal Incidence in Rural Bangladesh

1993 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 283-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasar U. Ahmed ◽  
Marian F. Zeitlin

Germ theory was taught as part of a hygiene intervention in five villages in Bangladesh in which 87 percent of mothers were illiterate. Volunteer mothers taught other community mothers interactively in small groups using demonstration and teaching aids developed by a community working group. At final measurement 91 percent of mothers could explain five simple messages defining germ theory. Using germ theory in groups they identified forty high risk day-to-day practices and modified them to reduce diarrheal transmission. They adopted these new hygiene practices at rates ranging from 65 percent to 100 percent. Regression analysis suggests that understanding of germ theory was an important determinant of hygiene practices, cleanliness, and reduction in diarrheal incidence. Understanding of germ theory appeared to reduce diarrheal incidence not only through the interventions designed by the project but also changing perceptions of risk in the environment which led to spontaneous improvement in hygiene behaviors. We believe that accurate understanding of causes, transmission, and prevention of disease can 1) empower community and individual actions; and 2) contribute significantly to the impact of hygiene interventions. Therefore, it may be imperative to integrate teaching germ theory into community health education.

2007 ◽  
Vol 136 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. E. O'REILLY ◽  
M. C. FREEMAN ◽  
M. RAVANI ◽  
J. MIGELE ◽  
A. MWAKI ◽  
...  

SUMMARYSafe drinking water and hygiene are essential to reducing Kenya's diarrhoeal disease burden. A school-based safe water and hygiene intervention in Kenya was evaluated to assess its impact on students' knowledge and parents' adoption of safe water and hygiene practices. We surveyed 390 students from nine schools and their parents at baseline and conducted a final evaluation of 363 students and their parents. From baseline to final evaluation, improvement was seen in students' knowledge of correct water treatment procedure (21–65%, P<0·01) and knowing when to wash their hands. At final evaluation, 14% of parents reported currently treating their water, compared with 6% at baseline (P<0·01). From 2004 to 2005, school absenteeism in the September–November term decreased in nine project schools by 35% and increased in nine neighbouring comparison schools by 5%. This novel programme shows promise for reducing school absenteeism and promoting water and hygiene interventions in the home.


Author(s):  
Annie Locas ◽  
Julie Brassard ◽  
Megan Rose-Martel ◽  
Dominic Lambert ◽  
Alyssa Green ◽  
...  

A group of experts from all Canadian federal food safety partners was formed to monitor the potential issues relating to SARS-CoV-2 food contamination, to gather and consider all of the relevant evidence and to determine the impact for Canadian food safety. A comprehensive risk pathway was generated to consider the likelihood of a SARS-CoV-2 contamination event at any of the relevant steps of the food processing and handling chain, and potential for exposure and transmission of the virus to the consumer. The scientific evidence was reviewed and assessed for each event in the pathway, taking into consideration relevant elements that could increase or mitigate the risk of contamination. The advantage of having an event-wise contextualization of the SARS-CoV-2 transmission pathway through the food chain, is that it provides a systematic and consistent approach to evaluate any new data and communicate its importance and impact. The pathway also increases the objectivity and consistency of the assessment in a rapidly evolving and high-stakes situation.   Based on our review and analysis, there is currently no comprehensive epidemiological evidence of confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2, or its variants, causing COVID-19 from transmission through food or food packaging. Considering the remote possibility of exposure through food, the likelihood of exposure by ingestion or contact with mucosa is considered negligible to very low and good hygiene practices during food preparation should continue to be followed.


2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 1273-1282
Author(s):  
Amy Bestman ◽  
Samantha L Thomas ◽  
Melanie Randle ◽  
Hannah Pitt ◽  
Rebecca Cassidy ◽  
...  

Abstract In regional Australia, families (including children), attend community venues that contain gambling products, such as electronic gambling machines (EGMs), for a range of non-gambling reasons. However, there is a gap in research that seeks to understand how these venues may become embedded into family social practices. Drawing on Bourdieu’s concepts of habitus and cultural capital, this paper aimed to explore factors that influence family decisions to attend venues and perceptions of risk associated with children’s exposure to gambling products. Face-to-face qualitative interviews were conducted with 31 parents who attended community gambling venues with their children, in New South Wales, Australia. Families attended venues for three key reasons, first because of the influence of others in their social networks, second for regular social activities and third because of structural factors such as a lack of alternative, affordable, family friendly environments in their local area. Despite recognizing the harm associated with EGMs, parents distanced themselves from EGM harm with all parents perceiving venues to be an appropriate space for families. Research in this study indicates that family social practices within venues affect perceptions of risk associated with community gambling venues. The impact of these practices on longer-term health requires more investigation by public health and health promotion researchers and practitioners. Health promotion initiatives should consider identifying alternative sources of support and/or developing alternative social spaces for families in regional communities that do not contain gambling products.


2015 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nurul Azita Salleh ◽  
Mohd Nasrun Mohd Nawi ◽  
Norazah Mohd Nordin ◽  
Abdul Khalim Abdul Rashid

This paper focuses on the discussion of the impact of IM-SmartSAFETY courseware on foreign workers in the construction industry. This courseware was developed as an alternative media of information delivery in bilingual multimedia and two directional teaching aids for foreign workers in Health and Safety Induction Course (HSIC). The study discovered that the IM-SmartSAFETY courseware have contributed a great impact and meets the needs of the foreign workers on construction sites as well as one of the mechanism to help tackle the language problem. The study was conducted quantitative research methods supported by qualitative research is found a parallel in terms of data acquisition which is seen IM-SmartSAFETY courseware has helped meet the needs of foreign workers regarding personal protective equipment (PPE) in terms of knowledge about the types and uses of PPE, safety regulations related to PPE, proper wear of PPE and the effect of the proper usage of PPE which include safety helmets, safety boots, protective clothing or safety jackets, ear protection, eye and face protection, safety belts, protective glove and protective breathing after using the courseware. The findings also exhibits that the overall of helpfulness of courseware also found that language issues have been resolved. In fact, the acquisition of knowledge foreign workers on safety at construction sites and the way of delivery information by the trainers to foreign workers have been enhanced while reducing the rate of accidents on construction sites and increase foreign workers awareness about the hazard and improve occupational safety of foreign workers in Malaysia.


2003 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 165-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lona Mody ◽  
Shelly A. McNeil ◽  
Rongjun Sun ◽  
Suzanne F. Bradley ◽  
Carol A. Kauffman

AbstractObjective:To examine the impact of introduction of an alcohol-based hand rub on hand hygiene knowledge and compliance and hand colonization of healthcare workers (HCWs) in a long-term-care facility (LTCF).Methods:Two floors of an LTCF participated. Ward A used the hand rub as an adjunct to soap and water; ward B was the control. HCWs' hands were cultured using the bag-broth technique forStaphylococcus aureus,gram-negative bacilli (GNB),Candida,and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). HCWs completed a questionnaire at baseline and after an educational intervention and introduction of rub.Results:Hand hygiene practices, knowledge, and opinions did not change after the educational or rub intervention. Ward A HCWs thought that the rub was faster (P= .002) and less drying (P= .04) than soap. Hand hygiene frequency did not differ at baseline between the two floors, but increased on ward A by the end of the study (P= .04). HCWs were colonized frequently with GNB (66%),Candida(41%), S.aureus(20%), and VRE (9%). Although colonization did not change from baseline on either ward, the rub was more effective in clearing GNB (P= .03) and S.aureus(P= .003). Nosocomial infection rates did not change.Conclusion:The alcohol-based hand rub was a faster, more convenient, less drying method of hand hygiene for HCWs in an LTCF, and it improved compliance. Although microbial colonization did not change, the rub was more efficacious in removing pathogens already present on the hands of HCWs.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 401-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabrielle Wong-Parodi ◽  
Baruch Fischhoff ◽  
Benjamin Strauss

Abstract Although the risks of flooding demand responses by communities and societies, there are also many cost-effective actions that individuals can take. The authors examine two potential determinants of such adoption: individual predisposition to act and the impact of decision aids that emphasize the risk, the actions, both, or neither (control). Respondents are a representative sample (N = 1201) of individuals in the areas most heavily affected by Superstorm Sandy in 2012. The authors find that, in the overall sample, seeing protective actions coupled with risk information or alone produced higher rates of individuals reporting that they intended to take action preparing for future storms, compared to a control group receiving no additional information. Moreover, that occurred despite the aids reducing their perceptions of risk. The authors find that individuals who reported having taken previous action are more responsive to decision aid messages with the exception of the combined message (risk and protective actions)—which had a positive effect on those who had not acted previously, but a negative effect on those who had. These results suggest that, in communities that already are aware of their flood risks, the critical need is for authoritative, comprehensible information regarding the most feasible and cost-effective protective actions that they can take. Providing such information requires analysis to determine which actions qualify and a design process that incorporates user feedback to ensure that recommendations are easily understood and credible.


2008 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 231-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Roberts

Dental caries remains the most common disease in man and presents a tremendous health-affecting challenge and fiscal burden to both developed and underdeveloped countries. Changing demographics including increased number of ethnic minorities, cultural practices and diet, the number of children living in poverty or near poverty, and the special needs of medically compromised children have made solutions more complex and evasive. Systemic and topical fluoride contacts remain the most cost-effective public health response to preventing caries among children. The time-honored impact of reducing sugars and carbohydrates in the diet and improving oral hygiene practices also remain essential. New technology has the potential of offering remineralization strategies. The dental profession is challenged to be proactive in identifying alternatives and implementing new and creative ways to embrace underserved children and improve their access to care including trauma prevention. The impact on families and society, including financial and general well-being, due to poor oral health is significant. Lower income families absorb disproportionately the effect of dental diseases due to lack of education, food availability and selection, and access to early preventive care.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 128
Author(s):  
Adnan Pattipeilohy ◽  
Nurbani Yusuf ◽  
Trisakti Handayani

ABSTRAKUsaha sadar dan terencana untuk mewujudkan suasana belajar dan proses pembelajaran agar peserta didik secara aktif pengembangkan potensi yang dimiliki seperti kekuatan spiritual keagamaan, pengendalian diri, kepribadian, kecerdasan, dan memiliki akhlak mulia. Untuk mewujudkan masyarakat yang sejahtra tidak mudah tanpa keterlibatan pendidikan politik yang efektif.Pendidikan Politik yang efektif ialah mampu memberikan pemahaman kepada masyarakat tentang Hak dan Kewajibannya dalam Bidang Politik. Hal demikian yang ditanamkan pada Pemilih Pemula khususnya Siswa Sekolah Menengah Atas (SMA) Negeri 1 Omesuri Balauring. Bukan hanya memberikan kesadaran akan Hak dan kewajibannya dalam momentum Demokratis Pemilihan Kepala Daerah Bupati dan Wakil Bupati pada 15 Februari 2017 lalu tetapi juga memberikan pemahaman untuk menjadi Pemilih Cerdas yang tidak Dekriminatif kedaerahan dan Kesukuan ataupun sentiment Agama tetapi berdasarkan kemampuan memimpin tawaran visi misi yang ditawarkan para calon Bupati dan wakil bupati Lembata periode 2017 - 2022. Adapun tujuan dalam penelitian ini ialah sebagai berikut: 1) Menjelaskan bentuk-bentuk pendidikan politik pada pemilih pemula yang dilaksanakan oleh Panitia Pemilihan kecamatan pada pemilih pemula di SMAN 1 Balauring Kabupaten Lembata. 2) Mendeskripsikan dampak pendidikan politik yang dilakukan oleh Panitia Pemilihan Kecamatan pada pemilih pemula di SMAN 1 Balauring Kabupaten Lembata. Penilitian ini menggunakan teknik penelitian deskriptif kualitatif. Dimana peneliti terjun langsung untuk menggali informasi terkait dengan judul dari penelitian. Pengumpulan data diperoleh dengan teknik wawancara, observasi, dan dokumentasi.Adapun informasi yang perlu digali informasinya adalah pemilih pemula SMAN 1 Balauring dan anggota Panitia Pemilihan Kecamatan (PPK).Berdasarkan hasil penelitian diperoleh hasil sebagai berikut: 1) Pendidikan politik yang menjadi tanggung jawab Komisi Pemilihan Umum (KPU) Kabupaten Lembata yang dilaksanakan di sekolah-sekolah salah satunya SMAN 1 Balauring, melalui Panitia Pemilihan Kecamatan (PPK) Omesuri dilakukan dengan metode sosialisasi pemilih pemula dengan sasaran Siswa-siswi SMAN 1 Balauring dengan kisaran umur 17 Tahun keatas dengan metode penyampaian ke kelas-kelas layaknya metode pengajaran biasa dan melalui alat bantu ajar yaitu bahan tayang materi tentang kepemiluan yang disampaiakan oleh KPU dan PPK. Materi yang disampaikan antara lain: Pengertian umum tentang Pemilu, Pemilih Pemula, syarata-syarat menjadi pemilih, dan PPK juga menyampaikan tentang kategori pemilih cerdas yang memilih berdasarakan kemampuan kepemimpinan, visi dan misi yang ditawarkan oleh calon Bupati dan Wakil Bupati. 2) Tujuan dari adanya pendidikan politik oleh KPU dan PPK adalah selain memberikan kesadaran akan hak yang dimiliki oleh pemilih pemulah juga untuk menekan angkah golongan putih (Golput). Melalui wawancara yang dilakukan oleh peneliti, adapun dampak dilihat dari respon Siswasiswi setelah adanya sosialisasi atau pendidikan politik oleh PPK yaitu kesadaran untuk hadir dan ikut memilih pada tanggal 15 Februari 2017.Kata Kunci : Pendidikan, Politik, Efektif, Tujuan, Pemilih, Pemilih Pemula, Cerdas, Pemimpian,bupati, wakil bupati. ABSTRACTThe enterprises are conscious and planned to realize learning atmosphere and learning process so that students are actively developing the potential possessed such as spiritual strength, self-control, personality, intelligence, and have good morale. To realize it is not easy without effective political education. It is education to given understanding to the public about rights and obligations in the political field. That things should be instilled in the novice voter especially student of SMA Negeri 1 Balauring. It is not only about provides awareness of his rights and obligations in the election of regents and vice regents on 15 February 2017,but provide an understanding to be an intelligent voter who does not decriminate regionalism or ethnic or religious sentiments but based on the leadership ability and vision of the mission offered by candidates for the period 2017-2022.The purpose of this research is: 1). To explains the forms of political education in novice voters that conducted by the district election committee on the novice voters in SMA Negeri 1 Balauring Kabupaten Lembata. 2). To describe the impact of political education undertaken by the district election committee on the novice voters in SMA Negeri 1 Balauring Kabupaten Lembata. this research used qualitative descriptive research technique. For this case researchers go directly to search for information related to the title of the research. The technique to collected data is interview, observation and documentation. Any information that needs to be searched is the novice voter in SMA Negeri 1 Balauring and a member of Panitia Pemilihan Kecamatan (PPK).Based on the research results obtained the following results: 1). the political education which is the responsibility of the Komisi Pemilihan Umum (KPU) is implemented in the schools of one of the SMA Negeri 1 Balauring, through Panitia Pemilihan Kecamatan (PPK) Omesuri is done with the method of socialization of novice voters with the target students of SMA Negeri 1 Balauring with the age range of 17 years and over with the method of delivering to the classroom as usual teaching methods and through teaching aids that material about the election submitted by KPU and PPK. The material presented is general understanding of elections, novice voters, voter conditions, and PKK also presented about the intelligent voter category that chooses based on leadership ability, vision and mission offered by candidates. 2) the purpose of political education by KPU and PKK is reduce the number of voters who do not vote (Golput). Through interviews conducted by the researchers obtained the results of the impact of student responses after the socialization or political education by PPK is the awareness to attend and vote on 15 February 2017.Keyword: Education, Political, Effective, Purpose, Votes, Novice voters, Intelligent, leader, Regents, Vice Regents


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