Infection prevention and control: understanding the fundamentals

Infection prevention and control is crucial to prevent patients and healthcare staff from being harmed by avoidable infections, including healthcare-associated infections. This article outlines the main elements of standard precautions for infection prevention and control, as set out by the World Health Organization. Nurses and other healthcare professionals can use this information to refresh their knowledge of infection prevention and control, understand the appropriate practices that should be adopted to reduce the risk of infection transmission, and increase their awareness of the importance of sustainability and education.

Prevalence and determinants of hand hygiene behavior among Indian population: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Despite a global call to action, many deaths occur yearly in developing nations from contagious diseases due to poor sanitation and hygiene. Although hand hygiene (HH) behavior was critical in preventing the COVID-19 pandemic, the sustainability of such practices is still questionable. Therefore, the current systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the prevalence and determinants of HH behavior among the Indian population (PROSPERO registration ID: CRD42022344961). Systematic searches on electronic databases, including ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, JSTOR, PubMed, and Google Scholar, targeted qualitative and quantitative studies that report HH behaviors in India. Pooled effect sizes were calculated with the inverse-variance method using random-effects models, acknowledging the study heterogeneity. Out of 1053 studies, 15 studies that met eligibility criteria were included in the qualitative synthesis. Among them, five studies were included in the meta-analyses. The overall prevalence of HH before food was 55% (95% CI = 31-78), and after the toilet was 84% (95% CI = 65-96). Subgroup analysis showed that before-food HH prevalence pre- and post-COVID-19 was 61% and 36%, respectively, whereas after-toilet HH prevalence was 91% and 74%, respectively. Meta-regression revealed statistically non-significant results for COVID-19 status. While it could not adequately explain the heterogeneity of the 'before-food prevalence' studies (Adj. R2 = - 34.80%), it did account for more than 19% in 'after-toilet prevalence' (Adj. R2 = 19.72%). This systematic review highlights various demographic, psychosocial, and environmental determinants of HH behavior. The results offer the potential for a deeper comprehension of the key factors influencing HH in India and could find implications for developing viable interventions. This aids in planning efficient promotional campaigns to enhance personal hygiene and control infectious diseases in the nation.

The "Bubble": What Can Be Learned from the National Basketball Association (NBA)'s 2019-20 Season Restart in Orlando during the COVID-19 Pandemic

BACKGROUND

The National Basketball Association (NBA) suspended operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. To safely complete the 2019-20 season, the NBA created a closed campus in Orlando, Florida, known as the NBA "Bubble." More than 5000 individuals lived, worked, and played basketball at a time of high local prevalence of SARS-CoV-2.

METHODS

Stringent protocols governed campus life to protect NBA and support personnel from contracting COVID-19. Participants quarantined before departure and upon arrival. Medical and social protocols required that participants remain on campus, test regularly, physically distance, mask, use hand hygiene, and more. Cleaning, disinfection, and air filtration was enhanced. Campus residents were screened daily and confirmed cases of COVID-19 were investigated.

RESULTS

In the Bubble population, 148 043 COVID-19 reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) tests were performed across approximately 5000 individuals; Orlando had a 4% to 15% test positivity rate in this timeframe. There were 44 COVID-19 cases diagnosed either among persons during arrival quarantine or in non-team personnel while working on campus after testing but before receipt of a positive result. No cases of COVID-19 were identified among NBA players or NBA team staff living in the Bubble once cleared from quarantine.

CONCLUSIONS

Drivers of success included the requirement for players and team staff to reside and remain on campus, well-trained compliance monitors, unified communication, layers of protection between teams and the outside, activation of high-quality laboratory diagnostics, and available mental health services. An emphasis on data management, evidence-based decision-making, and the willingness to evolve protocols were instrumental to successful operations. These lessons hold broad applicability for future pandemic preparedness efforts.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Knowledge, Beliefs, and Practices of Ni-Vanuatu Health Workers Regarding Antibiotic Prescribing and Antibiotic Resistance, 2018 and 2022: A Mixed Methods Study

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is included in the ten most urgent global public health threats. Global evidence suggests that antibiotics were over prescribed during the early waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Inappropriate use of antibiotics drives the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to examine the impact of COVID-19 on Ni-Vanuatu health worker knowledge, beliefs, and practices (KBP) regarding antibiotic prescribing and awareness of antibacterial AMR. A mixed methods study was conducted using questionnaires and in-depth interviews in 2018 and 2022. A total of 49 respondents completed both baseline (2018) and follow-up (2022) questionnaires. Knowledge scores about prescribing improved between surveys, although health workers were less confident about some prescribing activities. Respondents identified barriers to optimal hand hygiene performance. More than three-quarters of respondents reported that COVID-19 influenced their prescribing practice and heightened their awareness of ABR: "more careful", "more aware", "stricter", and "need more community awareness". Recommendations include providing ongoing continuing professional development to improve knowledge, enhance skills, and maintain prescribing competency; formalising antibiotic stewardship and infection, prevention, and control (IPC) programmes to optimise prescribing and IPC practices; and raising community awareness about ABR to support more effective use of medications.

Hand Sanitizer Gels: Classification, Challenges, and the Future of Multipurpose Hand Hygiene Products

Hand hygiene is a crucial measure in the prevention and control of infections, and there is a growing awareness among individuals who are making a conscious effort to maintain hand cleanliness. With the advent of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, the demand for hand hygiene products has also gradually shifted towards those with antimicrobial properties. Among these products, hand sanitizer gels (HSGs) have gained considerable popularity as an efficient method of hand cleaning, due to their rapid drying and sustained antimicrobial efficacy. Concurrently, there has been a growing interest in novel HSGs that offer additional functions such as skin whitening, moisturizing, and anti-inflammatory effects. These novel HSGs effectively address concerns associated with the ingestion of antimicrobial ingredients and demonstrate reduced skin irritation, thereby alleviating hand dermatological issues. This review provides an extensive overview of the application scenarios, classification, and challenges associated with HSGs while emphasizing the emergence of novel components with biological functions, aiming to contribute to the advancement of hand hygiene practices and offer novel insights for the development of novel HSGs with outstanding antimicrobial properties with other multiple biological functions and desirable biosafety profiles.

Upper crossed syndrome in secondary school students: A mixed-method study

Objective

The study objectives were to identify the prevalence of upper crossed syndrome (UCS) and its associated factors in a population of Spanish adolescents, and to explore these associations through focus groups.

Methods

The study used a sequential explanatory mixed method design. The quantitative phase consisted of a cross-sectional study in which 45 students underwent photogrammetry measurements and evaluations with the Kiddo-KINDL and VISA-TEEN questionnaires. Subsequently, several focus groups were conducted to discuss the quantitative results.

Results

The results indicated a 37.8% prevalence of UCS, a 48.9% prevalence of forward head posture (FHP) and an 80% prevalence of forward shoulder posture (FSP). A positive FSP was indicated by an angle represented by the intersection of the line between the midpoint of the humerus and the spinous process of C7 of <52°. FSP was significantly higher in boys (mean [M] = 43.59, standard deviation [SD] = 6.9) than in girls (M = 47.98, SD = 6.33; p < 0.05). Boys showed significant moderate associations of FSP with body mass index (BMI) (r = -0.48, p < 0.05) and hygiene habits (r = -0.46, p < 0.05), and of FHP with worse use of technology (r = 0.53, p < 0.05). Those with UCS showed significant differences in school performance (M = 47.22, SD = 8.33, p < 0.05). Analysis of the qualitative results led to the identification of 33 codes and five categories.

Conclusions

UCS was associated with factors such as BMI, school performance, use of technology and physical activity. Correcting posture in adolescence was generally believed to be necessary. Physical exercise and postural health were considered highly important among adolescents.

Assessment of the effect of hand dryers used in shopping malls on hand hygiene

BACKGROUND

Hand drying is one of the most important factors affect hand hygiene. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of hand dryers used in the restrooms located on the food court floors in shopping malls in Turkey on hand hygiene.

METHODS

Hands were washed for at least 20 seconds by following hygienic hand washing procedures of the World Health Organization. Swab samples were taken from the wet hands after hand washing, then from the dry hands, which were dried under the hand dryers and from the air blowing part of the hand dryers. Samples were cultured on agar plates that were directly exposed to the air-blowing part of the hand dryers.

RESULTS

It was found that total coliform bacteria were 0.000 colony-forming unit (CFU)/petri in wet and dried hand, 3.437 CFU/petri in blown air and 5.250 CFU/petri in swab samples. Staphylococcus aureus was found to be 0.125, 64.125, 26.375, and 388.750 CFU/petri, respectively. Total bacteria count was found to be 0.687, 48.750, 35.625, and 595.000 CFU/petri, respectively. S. aureus and the total bacterial load were higher in the blower outlet of the hand dryers than washed hand, blown air and dried hand (P < .05). The bacteria count in the unfiltered hand dryers was higher than that in the filtered hand dryers (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Using hand dryers would negatively affect hand hygiene even if hands were washed following hygienic hand washing procedures.

Changes in Adolescent Hygiene Habits Caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic

The aim of this study was to examine and determine hygiene habits in the adolescent population depending on whether the Covid 19 pandemic affected the improvement of hygiene habits in the same population. The research is designed as a cross-sectional study. A questionnaire created using the Google Docs platform was used as an instrument. The sample consisted of 89 respondents of both sexes, aged 18 to 23 years. The analysis shows that there is a difference in maintaining hygienic habits before and after the introduction of the state of emergency. In 20.22% of cases, hygienic habits were better during the state of emergency, and after the mitigation of measures, compared to the period before the introduction of the state of emergency, and in 5.62% of respondents hygienic habits were worse, while in 74.16% of respondents there were no change in hygienic habits. The analysis of the use of disinfectants and masks shows that 60.68% of respondents used disinfectants and masks more often after mitigation of emergency measures compared to the period before the introduction of the state of emergency, 5.62% of respondents used less, while in 33.70 % of respondents there were no changes in the use of disinfectants and masks.

The results of this study show a positive relationship between hygiene habits before and during the Covid 19 pandemic, and after mitigation, as well as between the use of disinfectants and masks before and during the Covid 19 pandemic, and after mitigation, which justifies further research in this area.

Lived experiences of recovered COVID-19 persons in Nigeria: A phenomenological study

Background

Numerous publications have documented the mode of transmission and prevention of COVID-19 but little or no evidence exists on the experiences of people who survived the infection.

Objective

This study explored the specific experiences of persons who were infected with COVID-19, but have recovered completely. A secondary objective was to identify essential elements in the lived experiences of such persons, which would be useful in designing appropriate policies and programs for managing the virus in Nigeria.

Method

The data were collected using in-depth interviews with 21 persons who were diagnosed with the virus and recovered. The data were transcribed and analyzed qualitatively using NVivo software. The experiences of the survivors of COVID-19 were examined under six themes: compliance with prevention measures before being infected, perceptions on how they contracted the virus, the symptoms they experienced, the management of the disease, their experiences with the healthcare system, their emotional experiences, and their recommendations on specific strategies to prevent and manage the virus based on their experiences.

Results

The commonly perceived means of contracting the virus were through colleagues, patients, and friends who were infected. The most commonly experienced symptoms were anosmia and fever. The health providers were described as courteous but some of the respondents observed avoidance and fear. Not all the interviewees knew the drugs they were treated with, but some, particularly the medical personnel, identified hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, vitamin C, Augmentin, among others. Some of the participants used herbal remedies. While some respondents recounted good experiences in the isolation centre, others had unpleasant experiences. Direct and indirect encounters which were perceived as stigmatizing and discriminatory were reported by some respondents.

Conclusion

We conclude that persons who recovered from COVID-19 in Nigeria had varied experiences relating to the mode of infection, the clinical features, methods of treatment, and psychosocial effects of the virus. These experiences would be useful for designing and implementing appropriate interventions, policies, and programs for managing the pandemic in the country.

School water, sanitation, and hygiene inequalities: a bane of sustainable development goal six in Nigeria

Objectives

The importance of school water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal targets 6.1 and 6.2 in developing countries cannot be overemphasized. However, widespread WASH inequalities remain an impediment to achieving the targets by 2030. Hence, this study was conducted to examine current school-WASH disparities among public and private schools in a low-income Nigerian community using mixed methods.

Methods

The cross-sectional survey utilized multi-stage sampling to select 400 students from five public and five private schools in Akinyele, Ibadan. Semi-structured questionnaires and observational checklists were used to obtain data. Inferential statistics were measured at a 95% confidence interval. Independent variables like the students’ sociodemographic characteristics, school type, and available WASH facilities were associated with dependent variables like respondents’ hand hygiene and sanitation practices and WASH-associated knowledge and attitude to examine existing inequalities.

Results

Classifying the available WASH facilities based on the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme, none of the public schools provided any sanitation and hygiene service, while all the private schools provided both services. Furthermore, the private-school students had significantly better WASH knowledge (p<0.001; Ƞ2p=0.152) and attitude (p<0.001; Ƞ2p=0.036) compared with the public-school students. Also, a significantly higher portion of public-school students practiced open defecation at school (p<0.001; odds ratio (OR)=7.4; confidence interval (CI)=4.1–13.5) and at home (p<0.001; OR=7.8; CI=3.7–16.7).

Conclusion

WASH disparities among socioeconomic groups remain a persistent challenge. Sole reliance on the Government to narrow the inequalities has persistently proven unfruitful. There is a need to empower local community stakeholders to facilitate sustainable school-WASH interventions.

Mobile shopping beauty live commerce changes in COVID‐19 pandemic focused on fun contents of MZ generation in Republic of Korea

Background

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is the new virus responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. According to these circumstances, a study was conducted to prepare a long‐term non‐face‐to‐face outpatient treatment service during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Given the current situation of the times, it is expected that there will be no return to the non‐face‐to‐face prior.

Objectives

Therefore, this study descriptively investigated changes in consumer demand for new changes in the cosmetic market that has changed since COVID‐19.

Methods

It was written with reference to keywords such as “Covid Mobile Shopping,” “Covid MZ Generation,” “Covid Live Commerce,” and “Fun Content.” This study was conducted by searches on PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus, and ResearchGate. A total of 398 papers were found, of which 40 were successfully included in this study.

Results

It is expected that this era will be centered on the MZ generation, which has emerged as a new consumer in the market, where individual tastes and individuality are emphasized. Millennials and Generation Z, also called the “SNS generation,” are focusing on consumption trends.

Conclusion

It is expected that this review will be used as important marketing material for a new change in the cosmetics market by clearly understanding the consumer needs of the cosmetics industry that has changed in the untact era.

How dirty are the pens in health-care environment? An easily overlooked detail of hand hygiene

Pens, common in hospitals, may be a potential vehicle for cross-infection. In this study, the number of pathogens on different pens and the positive rates of several common multi-drug-resistant bacteria were calculated and compared according to the nature of use and material. In addition, the effect of pens on bacterial transmission was explored through simulation experiments. High levels of bacteria were found on pens and the simulations demonstrated transmission of bacteria.