Unlabelled: Health care personnel--particularly physicians--do a poor job of complying with national handwashing guidelines, yet handwashing is the cornerstone of infection control. New products designed to increase compliance are available, such as automated handwashing machines, but their clinical benefits have not been fully studied. The best solution for now may be to continue awareness campaigns and education programs, ensure access to sinks and appropriate antiseptic products, and promote the use of alcohol disinfectants when handwashing is not possible.
Key Points: Antiseptic products are now preferred over handwashing with plain soap, which does not reliably prevent transmission of bacteria. Because 100% compliance may not be realistic, interventions that improve compliance, such as the use of alcohol sanitizing products when handwashing is not possible, may be the best solution. A number of barriers deter compliance, including lack of access to handwashing stations and lack of time. Gloves are not a substitute for handwashing because they are not fully protective.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3949/ccjm.68.4.325 | DOI Listing |
Health Sci Rep
January 2025
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Science Debre Berhan University Debre Berhan Ethiopia.
Background And Aims: Clinical laboratories play a vital role in modern healthcare, where laboratory test results significantly influence medical decisions. However, laboratory professionals are often exposed to hazardous biological materials, underscoring the importance of biosafety management. This study aimed to assess biosafety practices among clinical laboratory professionals in Debre Berhan town, Ethiopia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS Negl Trop Dis
January 2025
Center for Humanitarian Health, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America.
Background: Cholera outbreaks are surging worldwide. Growing research supports case-area targeted interventions (CATIs), whereby teams provide a package of interventions to case and neighboring households, as an effective strategy in cholera outbreak control, particularly in humanitarian settings. While research exists on individual CATI interventions, research gaps exist on outcomes of integrated interventions during CATI responses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHeliyon
January 2025
African Centre of Excellence for Water and Environmental Research (ACEWATER), Redeemer's University, Osun State, Nigeria.
Environmental antibiotic residues (EARs) and antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) are known to contribute to global antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study investigated EAR levels in selected wells, river, abattoir wastewater, bottled water and sachet water from Ede, Nigeria. Ecological risk quotient (RQ) and health risk (Hazard quotient) of the levels of these EARs, ARB and multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDR) with their antibiotic resistance were calculated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt Health
January 2025
Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Marracuene district, Maputo Province 0205-02, Mozambique.
Background: To reduce the spread and transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), schools implemented a series of non-pharmacological interventions such as handwashing stations and cleaning protocols. A baseline assessment of the available interventions and readiness scores for SARS-CoV-2 prevention was conducted in primary schools in Maputo City, Mozambique.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between August and October 2023.
PLoS One
January 2025
Faculty of Veterinary Science, Department of Veterinary Public Health, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Background: In China, brucellosis has resurfaced recently with a discernible spatial distribution, particularly affecting dairy herds and small ruminant populations. However, limited dissemination of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) for brucellosis control exists among farmers and animal health staff. This study aimed to assess the KAP of brucellosis control and prevention in animal health staff and farmers, with the goal of educating the public regarding the application of efficient brucellosis control and prevention strategies.
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