scholarly journals Population Adherence to Infection Control Behaviors during Hong Kong’s First and Third COVID-19 Waves: A Serial Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (21) ◽  
pp. 11176
Author(s):  
Emily Ying Yang Chan ◽  
Jean H. Kim ◽  
Kin-on Kwok ◽  
Zhe Huang ◽  
Kevin Kei Ching Hung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
International Travel ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Third Wave ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Preventive Practices ◽  
Over Time

Background: Although COVID-19 has affected over 220 countries by October 2021, there is limited research examining the patterns and determinants of adherence to infection control measures over time. Aims: Our study examines the sociodemographic factors associated with changes in the frequency of adherence to personal hygiene and social distancing behaviors in Hong Kong. Methods: A serial cross-sectional telephone survey in the general population was conducted during the first (March 2020) (n = 765) and third wave (December 2020) (n = 651) of the local outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Respondents were asked about their level of compliance with various personal hygiene and social distancing recommendations. Results: By the third wave, mask use increased to 100%, and throughout the study periods, >90% practiced frequent hand hygiene. However, adherence to social distancing measures significantly waned over time: avoidance of social gatherings (80.5% to 72.0%), avoidance of public places/public transport (53.3% to 26.0%), avoidance of international travel (85.8% to 76.6%) (p < 0.05). The practice of ordering food takeout/home delivery, however, increased, particularly among high-income respondents. Higher education, female gender and employment status were the most consistently associated factors with adherence to COVID-19 preventive practices in the multivariable models. Conclusions: In urban areas of this region, interventions to improve personal hygiene in a prolonged pandemic should target males and those with low education. In addition to these groups, the working population needs to be targeted in order to improve adherence to social distancing guidelines.

scholarly journals Population-Level Preparedness About Preventive Practices Against Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Adults in Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Bellal Hossain ◽  
Md. Zakiul Alam ◽  
Md. Syful Islam ◽  
Shafayat Sultan ◽  
Md. Mahir Faysal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Education ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Preventive Practices ◽  
Individual Household

This study assessed the preparedness regarding the preventive practices toward the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among the adult population in Bangladesh. Data were collected through an online survey with a sample size of 1,056. We constructed four variables (individual, household, economic, and community and social distancing) related to preparedness based on the principal component analysis of eight items. We employed descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression analysis. The results showed that the accuracy rate of the overall preparedness scale was 68.9%. The preparedness level related to economic, individual, household, and community and social distancing was 64.9, 77.1, 50.4, and 83.2%, respectively. However, the economic preparedness significantly varied by sex, education, occupation, attitude, and worries related to COVID-19. Individual preparedness was significantly associated with education, residence, and attitudes. The household preparedness significantly varied by education, residence, and worries, while the respondent's community and social distancing-related preparedness significantly varied by sex, region, residence, and attitude. This study implies the necessity of the coverage of financial schemes for the vulnerable group. Increased coverage of health education regarding personal hygiene targeting the less educated and rural population should be ensured.

scholarly journals Associations between Demographic Characteristics, Perceived Threat, Perceived Stress, Coping Responses and Adherence to COVID-19 Prevention Measures among Healthcare Students in China: A Cross-Sectional Survey with Implications for the Control of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anson Chui Yan Tang ◽  
Enid Wai Yung Kwong ◽  
Liangying Chen ◽  
Winnie Lai Sheung Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Coping Responses ◽  
Healthcare Students ◽  
Hygiene Measures

Objectives: To investigate the associations between demographic characteristics, perceived threat, perceived stress, coping responses and adherence to COVID-19 prevention measures in Chinese Healthcare students. Design: A cross-sectional survey collecting data in Hong Kong and Fujian Province of China. Self-administered questionnaires were collected via online platform in April 2020. Participants: A convenience and snowball sample of 2706 students aged 18 years or older and studying a healthcare programme in Hong Kong or Fujian. Setting: Students were recruited in tertiary education institutions/universities in Hong Kong and Putian (a prefecture-level city in eastern Fujian province). The institutions offered various healthcare programmes in degree or sub-degree levels. Main outcome measures: Compliances to social distancing and personal hygiene measures were assessed by 10-item Social Distancing Scale and 5-item Personal Hygiene Scale respectively. Path analysis was performed to identify factors associated with the compliance outcomes. Results: The participants reported high compliances to both social distancing and personal hygiene measures. Confidence to manage the current situation, wishful thinking and empathetic responding directly predicted compliance to social distancing (β=-0.31, p<0.001; β=0.35, p=0.015; β=0.33, p<0.001 respectively) and personal hygiene measures (β=-0.16, p<0.001; β=0.21, p<0.001; β=0.16, p<0.001 respectively). Gender, geographical location, and clinical experience were the only three demographic variables having direct and/or indirect effects on social distancing and personal hygiene measures. The final model constructed demonstrated a very good fit to the data (Chi-square X2=27.27, df=17, P=0.044; X2/df=1.61; GFI=0.998, CFI=0.997, TLI=0.992, RMSEA=0.015). Conclusions: The predictive model constructed in this study is the first one to explore factors associating with the compliance to infection control measures in healthcare students amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The findings suggest that students who are male, habituate in Hong Kong, have more clinical experience and weak confidence to manage the threat tend to have lower compliance to social distancing and personal hygiene measures. Wishful thinking, contrasting to previous studies, was first found to positively associate with adherence to COVID-19 control measures.

scholarly journals Infection Control Behavior at Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Observational Study of a Web-Based Behavioral Intervention (Germ Defence)

10.2196/22197 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. e22197
Author(s):  
Ben Ainsworth ◽  
Sascha Miller ◽  
James Denison-Day ◽  
Beth Stuart ◽  
Julia Groot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Observational Study ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Control Behavior ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
At Home

Background To control the COVID-19 pandemic, people should adopt protective behaviors at home (self-isolation, social distancing, putting shopping and packages aside, wearing face coverings, cleaning and disinfecting, and handwashing). There is currently limited support to help individuals conduct these behaviors. Objective This study aims to report current household infection control behaviors in the United Kingdom and examine how they might be improved. Methods This was a pragmatic cross-sectional observational study of anonymous participant data from Germ Defence between May 6-24, 2020. Germ Defence is an open-access fully automated website providing behavioral advice for infection control within households. A total of 28,285 users sought advice from four website pathways based on household status (advice to protect themselves generally, to protect others if the user was showing symptoms, to protect themselves if household members were showing symptoms, and to protect a household member who is at high risk). Users reported current infection control behaviors within the home and intentions to change these behaviors. Results Current behaviors varied across all infection control measures but were between sometimes (face covering: mean 1.61, SD 1.19; social distancing: mean 2.40, SD 1.22; isolating: mean 2.78, SD 1.29; putting packages and shopping aside: mean 2.75, SD 1.55) and quite often (cleaning and disinfecting: mean 3.17, SD 1.18), except for handwashing (very often: mean 4.00, SD 1.03). Behaviors were similar regardless of the website pathway used. After using Germ Defence, users recorded intentions to improve infection control behavior across all website pathways and for all behaviors (overall average infection control score mean difference 0.30, 95% CI 0.29-0.31). Conclusions Self-reported infection control behaviors other than handwashing are lower than is optimal for infection prevention, although handwashing is much higher. Advice using behavior change techniques in Germ Defence led to intentions to improve these behaviors. Promoting Germ Defence within national and local public health and primary care guidance could reduce COVID-19 transmission.

scholarly journals Estimating the consequences of a COVID-19 super spreader: A stochastic model of a night on the town

2021 ◽  
pp. 140349482110314
Author(s):  
Nils Henrik Kolnes ◽  
Snorre Nilsen Eikeland ◽  
Tor Albert Ersdal ◽  
Geir Sverre Braut
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Stochastic Model ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Local Municipality ◽  
The Town

A stochastic model estimated the consequences of a COVID-19 super spreader event occurring in the local municipality of Stavanger, Norway as a result of a night on the town. The model imposed different infection control regulations and compared these different scenarios. For Stavanger’s 161 locations of service, secondary transmissions from a super spreader event was estimated to infect a median of 37, requiring the quarantining of 200 guests given no infection control regulations, 23 and 167 when imposing social distancing regulations and other hygienic infection control measures, 7 infected and 63 quarantined guests with restrictions placed on the guest capacity, and 4 infected and 57 quarantined guests with both forms of restriction in use.

Hospital-acquired infection awareness and control practices among healthcare staff: an evaluation

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (11) ◽  
pp. 296-302
Author(s):  
Pallavi Saraswat ◽  
Rajnarayan R Tiwari ◽  
Muralidhar Varma ◽  
Sameer Phadnis ◽  
Monica Sindhu
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Healthcare Facility ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Control Policies ◽  
Hospital Acquired Infection ◽  
Hospital Acquired Infections ◽  
Hospital Acquired

Background/Aims Hospital-acquired infections pose a risk to the wellbeing of both patients and staff. They are largely preventable, particularly if hospital staff have adequate knowledge of and adherence to infection control policies. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, awareness and practice of hospital-acquired infection control measures among hospital staff. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 71 staff members in a tertiary healthcare facility in Karnataka, India. The researchers distributed a questionnaire containing 33 questions regarding knowledge of hospital-acquired infections, awareness of infection control policies and adherence to control practices. The results were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 16.0 and a Kruskal–Wallis test. Results Respondents' mean percentage score on the knowledge of hospital-acquired infections section was 72%. Their mean percentage scores on the awareness and practice of infection prevention measures sections were 82% and 77% respectively. Doctors and those with more years of experience typically scored higher. Conclusion The respondents had an acceptable level of knowledge, awareness and adherence to infection control practices. However, continued training is essential in the prevention of hospital-acquired infections. The majority of the respondents stated that they were willing to undertake training in this area, and this opportunity should be provided in order to improve infection control quality.

scholarly journals Knowledge and Practice of Personal Hygiene and Sanitation: A Study in Selected Slums of Dhaka City

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 68-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shayela Farah ◽  
Mohoshina Karim ◽  
Nasreen Akther ◽  
Meherunnessa Begum ◽  
Nadia Begum
Keyword(s):  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Urban Slum ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Dhaka City ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Slum Dwellers ◽  
Knowledge And Practice

Background: : Slum dwellers are likely to be among the most deprived people in urban areas. Poor hygiene practices and inadequate sanitary conditions play major roles in the increased burden of communicable diseases within developing countries like ours.Objective: To assess the knowledge and practice about personal hygiene and environmental sanitation in selected slums of Dhaka city.Materials and method: This cross sectional study was conducted in purposively selected urban slum areas of Moghbazar slum, Bashabo slum and T&T slum of Dhaka city during February 2014 to April 2014. Convenient sampling technique was applied. Semi-structured pre-tested questionnaire was used and face to face interview was conducted. Total 475 subjects, irrespective of age and sex, were included in this study.Results: Out of 475 respondents, more than fifty percent slum dwellers resided in tin shaded room while 21.7% in ‘kacha’ houses. Sixty six percent of the respondents used to drink water from tube-well and 24% used supplied water provided by the city corporation. The study revealed that near 59% of the respondents used sanitary latrine. About 67% slum dwellers regularly practiced hand washing before taking meal and 59.2% respondents used soap after defecation. About fifty percent respondents brushed their teeth regularly with tooth paste. Regarding personal cleanliness, 81% subjects took bath regularly while 78% washed clothes irregularly. A statistically significant relation was found between washing of hands before meal (p=0.001), washing of hands after defecation (p=0.02), tooth brushing (p=0.001), bathing (p=0.009), washing of cloths (p=0.001), use of footwear (p=0.63) with knowledge of personal hygiene of the slum dwellers.Conclusion: Continuous community hygiene education along with adequate access to water supply and sanitation improves hygiene behaviour and policy makers and health care providers should have definite strategy and implementation.Delta Med Col J. Jul 2015; 3(2): 68-73

scholarly journals Cross-sectional study on the role of public awareness in preventing the spread of COVID-19 outbreak in India

2020 ◽  
pp. postgradmedj-2020-138349
Author(s):  
Manish Kaushik ◽  
Divya Agarwal ◽  
Anil K Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Public Awareness ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Preventive Measure ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Indian Society ◽  
Personal Hygiene ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Hygiene Measures

Background WHO has recommended personal hygiene (respiratory hygiene, using face masks, washing hands with warm water and soap, use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, avoid touching mouth, eyes & nose, cleanliness), social distancing and careful handling of purchased products as an effective preventive measure for COVID-19 disease. The growing pandemic of COVID-19 disease requires social distancing and personal hygiene measures to protect public health. But this message is not clear and well understood among people. The aim of this study is to determine the awareness, knowledge and attitude about COVID-19 and relate the behaviour of Indian society, especially when the country is restarting all its economic activities, after the complete lockdown. Method The present paper is based on an extensive survey among 21 406 adult participants of various sections of Indian society with different age groups between 18 and 80 years to introspect the level of public awareness with respect to cause, spread, prevention and treatment of disease caused by spread of COVID-19 viral outbreak, which will be automatically reflected in the societal behavioural response of rigorous precautionary measures. Conclusions There is a need to extend the knowledge base among individuals to enhance their active participation in the prevention mechanisms with respect to the spread of the pandemic. There is a need to elaborate the Indian socio-cultural aspects, so that society starts appreciating and voluntarily following social distancing. This should improve the adaptability of people with livelihood resilience to let them protect themselves not only from the present pandemic but also from all other unforeseen infections, and to provide care to patients.

scholarly journals Content Analysis of the Free COVID-19 Telephone Consultations Available during the First Wave of the Pandemic in Japan

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1593
Author(s):  
Kyoko Yoshioka-Maeda ◽  
Yuka Sumikawa ◽  
Noriha Tanaka ◽  
Chikako Honda ◽  
Riho Iwasaki-Motegi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Telephone Consultation ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Consultation Services

This cross-sectional study aimed to (1) describe the unclassified contents of telephone consultation services provided by a public health center during the first wave of COVID-19 in Japan and (2) examine whether the contents required assistance from public health nurses (PHNs). We analyzed a total of 207 calls in which the purpose of the call was unclassified into pre-set categories. PHNs transcribed the exact text of the consultation conversations recorded from 25 March to 20 April 2020 in City A. Approximately half of the calls were from residents. Seven categories were extracted through a qualitative content analysis. The most common topic was infection control measures, where the presence of COVID-19 infection was assumed (n = 62); the second most common was extreme anxiety and fear of infection (n = 50). Questions about the COVID-19 response system (n = 30), discrimination and misunderstandings about COVID-19 (n = 24), and response measures for COVID-19 outbreaks within organizations (n = 18) were also included. The unclassified consultations included various topics, several of which required the expertise of a PHN. Each local government should consider sharing and task-shifting telephone consultation services among PHNs and other staff to reduce their burden and allow them to concentrate on conducting infection control more effectively.

scholarly journals Delaying the COVID-19 epidemic in Australia: Evaluating the effectiveness of international travel bans

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adeshina I. Adekunle ◽  
Michael Meehan ◽  
Dianna Rojas ◽  
James Trauer ◽  
Emma McBryde
Keyword(s):  
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ◽  
International Travel ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Novel Virus

AbstractFollowing the outbreak of novel Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) or COVID-19 in Wuhan, China late 2019, different countries have put in place interventions such as travel ban, proper hygiene, and social distancing to slow the spread of this novel virus. We evaluated the effects of travel bans in the Australia context and projected the epidemic until May 2020. Our modelling results closely align with observed cases in Australia indicating the need for maintaining or improving on the control measures to slow down the virus.

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