Bacteriological profile and perception on hand hygiene in school-going Children

E. Kavitha; R. Srikumar; G. Muthu; T. Sathyapriya

doi:10.4103/JLP.JLP_113_18

Journal of Laboratory Physicians, Table of Contents

CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · J Lab Physicians 2019; 11(04): 300-304
DOI: 10.4103/JLP.JLP_113_18

Original Article

Bacteriological profile and perception on hand hygiene in school-going Children

Authors

E. Kavitha

Department of Microbiology, Bharath University, Chennai, India

Department of Microbiology, Sri Venkateshwara Medical College and Research Center, Puducherry, India
R. Srikumar

Department of Microbiology, Centre for Research, Sri Lakshmi Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Puducherry, India
G. Muthu

Centre Research Laboratory, ICMR, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India
T. Sathyapriya

Department of IIIrd Year MBBS Student, Sri Venkateshwara Medical College and Research Center, Puducherry, India

Abstract

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Handwashing is the most important daily activity to keep microbial infections at a distance. Schoolchildren tend to acquire most of the infections by not following the protocol of frequent handwashing which leads to frequent illnesses and absenteeism from school on a regular basis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted by means of collecting hand swabs from 133 schoolchildren to estimate the extent of germs present. Furthermore, student's perception on hand hygiene was assessed by means of questionnaire.

RESULTS: Among the schoolchildren, majority (68.4%) of them felt washing hands is important. Almost 56.4% of students washed their hands before eating lunch, but only 64.7% of them used soaps for cleaning their hands. Furthermore, hand swabs of 133 schoolchildren showed the growth of potential pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., and Enterococcus faecalis.

CONCLUSIONS: Hands of schoolchildren were found to be contaminated and measures to inculcate the habit of frequent handwashing with soap are essential.

Key words

Bacteriological profile - hand hygiene - student's perception - use of soap

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References

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