Effects of personalized oral hygiene management on oral health status of pregnant women

BACKGROUND The Cariostat caries activity test(CAT)was used to evaluate the effectiveness of personalized oral hygiene management combining oral health education and professional mechanical tooth cleaning on the oral health status of pregnant women.AIM To investigate whether personalized oral hygiene management enhances the oral health status of pregnant women.METHODS A total of 114 pregnant women who were examined at Dalian Women’s and Children’s Medical Center were divided into four groups:High-risk experimental group(n=29;CAT score≥2;received personalized oral hygiene management training),low-risk experimental group(n=29;CAT score≤1;received oral health education),high-risk control group(n=28;CAT score≥2),and low-risk control group(n=28;CAT score≤1).No hygiene intervention was provided to control groups.CAT scores at different times were compared using independent samples t-test and least significant difference t-test.RESULTS No significant difference in baseline CAT scores was observed between the experimental and control groups,either in the high-risk or low-risk groups.CAT scores were reduced significantly after 3(1.74±0.47 vs 2.50±0.38,P<0.0001)and 6 months(0.53±0.50 vs 2.45±0.42,P<0.0001)of personalized oral hygiene management intervention but not after oral health education alone(0.43±0.39 vs 0.46±0.33,P>0.05 and 0.45±0.36 vs 0.57±0.32,P>0.05,respectively).Within groups,the decrease in CAT scores was significant(2.43±0.44 vs 1.74±0.47 vs 0.53±0.50,P<0.0001)for only the high-risk experimental group.CONCLUSION Personalized oral hygiene management is effective in improving the oral health of pregnant women and can improve pregnancy outcomes and the oral health of the general population.

Food Hygiene and Safety Practices amongst Food Vendors in the Western Area, Sierra Leone

Food safety and hygiene practices require a multisectoral approach including food, water, sanitation, waste management, transport, education, trade, policies and programs that enable safe food preparation, storage and service. Unsafe food can cause illness keeping people from achieving their full potential and death. This was a descriptive study that uses a mixed method approach to derive insights into the characteristics of food vendors related to demography, knowledge, practices, infrastructure, compliance and recommendation for a policymaking framework. Using the Lemeshows’ sample size formula, 473 vendors from formal (restaurants) and informal (cookri-baffa/table top) sites were interviewed and observed. We found from discussions that respondents had a good understanding on how to keep food safe. However, observed practices were poor 93% handled food with their bare hands, 83% did not cover their hair, and 76% did not wear an apron whilst handling, preparing or serving food, 61% did not keep their finger nails clean or short and 57% did not wash their hand before preparing or serving food. Over half (51%) had access to a toilet but 32% reported their use required payment and emphasized their poor condition/inadequate management. Nearly half (47%) of the vending sites did not have a handwashing facility, with soap and water available. Only 7% reported having any authority oversight of food safety. Food safety and hygiene practices in most cookri shops and restaurants was ‘poor’ with very limited surveillance system in place by competent authorities for compliance of food operators. Hand washing, clean surroundings, and covered food were the most common and emphasized practices to mitigate the risks associated with unsafe food.

Rural Resilience: A Comprehensive Study on Water Supply, Sanitation, Disease Patterns, and Hygiene Practices in Munshiganj, Bangladesh

This research project investigates the current status of water supply, sanitation, and hygiene practices in Munshiganj District, Bangladesh. Data collection involved a structured questionnaire and a reconnaissance survey. Findings reveal that 30% of individuals rely on surface water (hand-tube wells, rivers, and ponds), prioritized as canal > river > pond, while 70% depend on groundwater (subterranean electric motor, deep tube-well). Drinking water is generally sufficient, with 95% reporting adequacy throughout the year. About 45% use hand tube-well water, 28% use deep tube-well water, and 11% use supply tap water for various purposes. Bathing trends include underground water through electric motor > pond > hand tube-well water > river, while for cooking, the order is underground water through electric motor > pond > hand tube-well water > river. Toilet water supply ranks as supply tap water > hand tube-well water > deep tube-well water. Although sanitation awareness is high, some lack knowledge of good hygiene practices. After defecating, handwashing methods include soap, ash, soil, or water. Children’s waste disposal varies, with some discarding it in open areas. Approximately 40% suffer from diseases like Diarrhoea due to unsafe water, primarily affecting children and elders. Training exists, but a significant portion lacks sanitation education. Dry skin or exposure to cold water may cause temporary irritation. Local government involvement in sanitation efforts is less active compared to non-governmental organizations. Results emphasize the need to enhance community awareness of safe water supplies and sanitation practices. .

Oral Hygiene in the Presence of Orthodontic Therapy

Orthodontic treatment offers great advantages in improving facial and smile aesthetics, self-confidence and the function of the stomatognathic apparatus. The pursuit of these advantages makes use of orthodontic appliances that could be fixed or removable. However, it’s worth stating that these appliances interfere with tooth brushing, making it more difficult to brush teeth effectively. Orthodontics appliances therefore promote the accumulation of dental plaque, which results in both quantitative and qualitative changes in the oral microbiota, hence, exposing patients to several adverse effects such as White spot lesions, dental caries, periodontal pathologies and halitosis. For this reason, oral assessment of patients before, during and after treatment is necessary as well as oral hygiene instructions and motivation. Orthodontists therefore, should educate patients on oral and periodontal hygiene in order to control dental and periodontal complications. Prescriptions of plaque control materials adapted to each patient are done in order to optimize the final result and minimize unwanted complications.

Analysis of Hand Hygiene Knowledge,Compliance,and Influencing Factors Among Psychiatric Healthcare Workers

Objective:To evaluate the knowledge,compliance,and influencing factors of hand hygiene among psychiatric healthcare workers.Methods:68 healthcare workers who worked in the Department of Psychiatry between September 2023 and May 2024 were selected to assess their knowledge of hand hygiene and compliance by questionnaire as well as to analyze their influencing factors.Results:Knowledge of hand hygiene among healthcare workers was less than 90%,and doctors’knowledge was lower than that of nurses(P<0.05).The healthcare workers’compliance with hand hygiene was lower than 80%,and the adherence of doctors was lower than that of nurses(P<0.05).Analysis of influencing factors reveals that skepticism about the effectiveness of rapid disinfectants/hand washing,skin irritation from disinfectants/cleaning agents,and busy work schedules with time constraints are the main factors affecting healthcare workers’compliance with hand hygiene,with P<0.05 compared with the same group.Conclusion:Psychiatric healthcare workers’knowledge of hand hygiene as well as compliance with it is low,and there are various factors affecting it,so targeted training is required to strengthen their hand hygiene implementation.

Application of PDCA in improving hand hygiene compliance and nosocomial infection quality in orthopedics

Objective:To explore the effect of the Plan-Do-Check-Action(PDCA)cycle on hand hygiene and nosocomial infection quality of or thopedic medical staff.Methods:The whole year of 2021 was selected to monitor the quality of hand hygiene and hospitalization.Follow-up monitoring and real-time recording during the period of morning shift and medical operation concentration time,and compare the compliance of hand hygiene before and after implementation,and evaluate the quality of nosocomial infection.Results:The hand hygiene compliance of doctors and nurses in stage P was 82%.The compliance of medical staff in stage D was 93%.The compliance of stage C was 94%and that of stage A was 95%.The quality score of hospital self-examination nosocomial infection was also significantly increased.Conclusions:The PDCA management cycle can effectively improve the compliance of hand hygiene and the nosocomial infection quality,which is wor thy of circulatory application in or thopedic nosocomial infection quality control,especially improving the quality of hand hygiene.

Application of PDCA Cycle in Hand Hygiene Management of Psychiatric Medical Staff

Objective:To study the application effect of the plan-do-check-act(PDCA)cycle management in the hand hygiene management of psychiatric medical staff.Methods:One hundred and twenty medical staff from a psychiatric hospital from May 2023 to December 2023 were selected and divided into two groups.The control group(May 2023 to August 2023)applied the conventional management model,and the observation group(September 2023 to December 2023)applied the PDCA cycle management.The hand hygiene compliance,hand hygiene knowledge,and hygiene qualifications were compared,including the amount of hand sanitizer used.Results:The proportion of medical staff’s hand hygiene compliance and hand hygiene knowledge mastery scores in the observation group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05);the hand hygiene passing rate in the observation group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05);the daily amount of hand sanitizer per patient bed and the amount of hand sanitizer used was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The PDCA cycle management model for psychiatric medical staff promoted the improvement of hand hygiene compliance and increased their hand hygiene qualifications.It is suitable for further popularization and application in future clinical practice.

Assessing School-Based Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Facilities in Peri-Urban Settings of Kinshasa, DR Congo

Background: Kinshasa’s peri-urban settings have a low rate of water access, which has significant consequences for the WASH infrastructures in schools and preventative measures against the spread of waterborne diseases and pathogens. This study aimed to assess the availability, functionality, and gender sensitivity of WASH infrastructures of Kinshasa’s peri-urban schools. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in three of the four educational provinces of Kinshasa, targeting 165 peri-urban schools. Data were collected using a questionnaire and an observation grid. Results: An overall proportion of 10.9% of schools possessed a water point, and therefore time-consuming water chores are a necessity in 89.1% of schools. Girl students provided 30% of the labor collecting water during punishments. A total of 98.2% of schools had functional latrines of which 3.6% were found hygienic, associated with water reserve next to the latrines (P = 0.040). Only 2.4% of schools displayed posters raising awareness of latrine hygiene, and 3.6% displayed posters on hand hygiene. The ratios of latrines units for girls were 58:1 for toilets and 115:1 for urinals, justifying open defecation and urination reported in 62.4% of schools. Also, 43% of schools had hand-washing facilities whose functionality was significantly associated with the presence of water points in the school’s inner courtyard (P = 0.032), with water (P P Conclusion: The majority of schools had limited drinking water services, which negatively impact the functionality and gender sensitivity of other WASH provisions. The current evidence as a public health concern would raise government and school authorities’ attention to address these environmental threats.

Challenges Associated with Menstrual Hygiene among Adolescent Girls Attending Bocharia Primary School in Nyamira County, Kenya

Background: Approximately, half a million of adolescent girls in the world feel frustrated during their monthly period due to poor menstrual hygiene practices. In the low-and-middle income countries, about three-quarters of girls do not have access to clean sanitary materials, and use low-quality products. In the Sub-Saharan African countries, menstruation among school-age girls is a neglected issue. Poor menstrual hygiene practices expose adolescent girls to reproductive organ infections, psychosocial stress, and poor school attendance. However, the available data concerning challenges associated with menstrual hygiene among school girls in the remote areas of Kenya remains unknown. Aim: To assess challenges associated with menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls attending Bocharia Primary School in Nyamira County, Kenya. Methods: The target population was grade 4 to 8 adolescent girls (n = 111) aged 10 - 19 years. Hence, census method of sampling was used to include all the girls in grade 4 - 8. Raw data was obtained using a Semi-structured questionnaire which was tested by a representation of 11 girls (10% of the sample size) who had the same characteristics. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21 with both descriptive and inferential statistics. In descriptive statistics, frequency and percentage were generated. The chi-square test of independence was used to determine associations between some socio-demographic variables of the girls and menstrual hygiene practice. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: The study found that majority (57%) of the respondents had poor menstrual hygiene practices associated with lack of accessibility and affordability to sanitary products, functional and safe latrines, shortage of soap and water supply, and sanitation facilities. Approximately half (47.8%) of the respondents reported that menstrual hygiene practices are highly influenced by taboo from cultural beliefs and societal norms. Girls who live with both parents were more likely (73.3%) to wash their body with water and soap during monthly bleeding as compared to those girls from single mother (64.7%) and those who live or grand Mothers (42.9%). The toilets or latrines that were allocated to the girls were unlockable, which threatens privacy and safety of the girls. Conclusions: Most of the school girls had poor menstrual hygiene practices associated with lack of sanitary products, safe and functional latrines, adequate water supply, soaps and sanitation facilities. Adequate attention to menstrual hygiene management should be given by the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) program, education sectors, and sexual and reproductive health programs.

Effectiveness of menstruation hygiene skills training for adolescents with autism

BACKGROUND Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder(ASD)may encounter many difficulties with their menstrual cycles.Potential challenges that adolescents with ASD may face include understanding physical changes,coping with symptoms,emotional sensitivity,communication,personal care,and hygiene.AIM To evaluate the effect of menstrual hygiene skills training given to adolescents with ASD on their menstrual hygiene skills.METHODS The study was conducted with 15 adolescents diagnosed with ASD by the single group pre-test and post-test model in three special education centers in Türkiye.Data were collected with the Adolescent and Parent Information Form and the Adolescent-Specific Menstrual Hygiene Skill Registration Form.RESULTS While the mean age of adolescents was 16.06±0.88 years,the mean age of individuals responsible for adolescent care was 43.66±5.56 years.While 60.0%of the adolescents noticed the onset of bleeding before training,this rate was 93.3%after training.The Adolescent-Specific Menstrual Hygiene Skill Registration Form showed a statistically significant increase in the application steps after the training.The difference between the menstrual hygiene skill scores of adolescents CONCLUSION The menstrual hygiene skills training given to adolescents with ASD was beneficial in increasing their menstrual hygiene skills.These individuals must take responsibility during menstruation and independently manage their continuous care activities.

High Prevalence of Bacterial Vaginosis Due to Gardnerella Species and Intra Genital Hygiene Impact Practices among Rural and Urban Women in Yaoundé, Cameroon

Background: Bacterial vaginosis represents a public health problem due to its high frequency in our various health facilities. Vaginal douching used by women as a means to achieve hygienic measures could be potentially dangerous. The objective of the study is to aim at bringing forth epidemiological data on intra-genital hygiene practices, determine the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis and the association between these vaginal practices and this genital infection. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on March 2022 on patients received in Human Biology Laboratory of Institute of Medical Research and Medicinal Plants Studies, in Yaoundé. Data were collected by questionnaire after an oral and written consent obtained from the patients. Vaginal swabs were collected and inoculated on to Blood Agar, Chocolate with polyvitex. Identification was done using morphologically appearance, Gram staining and biochemicals tests. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 20 software. Results: A total of 120 patients were enrolled during the study. The most represented age group of participants was 25 to 35 years with 62.5%. The overall prevalence of bacterial vaginosis was 29.16%. The prevalence of bacterial vaginosis varied according to the number of lifetime male sexual partners, women who reported having only one sexual partner in their life had a prevalence rate of 23.32%. The prevalence of bacterial vaginosis was higher in patients living in urban areas (23.33%). No significant correlation was observed between bacterial vaginosis and regularly vaginal douching and practice of intimate vaginal cleansing (p = 0.980). Conclusion: Our findings indicated that sexual behaviour traits may have an impact on the relatively high prevalence of bacterial vaginosis. This suggests that comprehensive health education programmes may be necessary to lower the incidence of bacterial vaginosis, which indicate the need for comprehensive and programmed health education programs aimed at reducing the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis.

Facilities and Misconceptions Concerning Menstrual Health and Menstrual Hygiene Management among Young People in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Background: Globally, women constitute 49.6% of the world population and at least 500 million women and girls lack adequate facilities for menstrual hygiene management. In Nigeria, a quarter of women lack adequate privacy for defecation and menstrual hygiene management. Absence of facilities needed for menstrual hygiene can pose as obstacle to women and girls practicing menstrual hygiene effectively. This study aims to identify the facilities and misconceptions concerning menstrual health and menstrual hygiene management. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study among 169 young males and females of Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Theological Seminary, Jos North, Plateau State. This study sought to identify the facilities and misconceptions concerning menstrual health and menstrual hygiene management among young people in Jos, Plateau State. Nigeria. Simple random sampling technique was used in this study and data was collected using interviewer-administered structured questionnaire to measure availability of facilities/programs for menstrual hygiene management and misconceptions about menstruation. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 20.0 with descriptive statistics, proportions, tables and diagrams used to illustrate findings from the data collected. Results: Majority 139 (82.2%) of the female respondents had access to adequate water supply, while 30 (17.8%) did not have access to the adequate water supply. About half, 53.8% had bathrooms with doors and safe locks, 19.5% had a school clinic where menstrual absorbents can be gotten, 10 (5.9%) had Girl’s Club/Peer Education teams, 24 (14.2%) had guidance and counselling classes. Programmes available to female respondents for menstrual health and hygiene management were girls club and guidance and counselling sessions. Majority 94 (97.9) of females have access to some form of menstrual adsorbent material, and 50 (52.1%) had no access to Sanitary pads. Most females 80 (80.3%) have access to soap, 46 (47.9%) do not have access to privacy at home when faced with changing their pads or menstrual adsorbent, while 84 (87.5%) had access to privacy while in school, 46.7% of respondents were aware of misconceptions/taboos, which included that women should not cook when menstruating (19.5% of respondents), and women should stay away from public activities during menstruation (13.6%). Conclusion: A sixth of the women had no access to adequate water, half had bathrooms without locks, over half had no access to sanitary pads, there were misconceptions that can be dispelled using health education and enlightenment on proper menstrual health and hygiene.

Effect of Sleep Hygiene Orientation on Social Cognition Impairments Due to Chronic Sleep Restriction in Mexican Medical Residents

Introduction: Sleep is critical to human physiological function, cognitive performance, and emotional regulation. Healthcare personnel, especially physicians, are chronically exposed to long working hours, which are often accompanied by decreased sleep time. Clinical evidence indicates that these conditions affect their cognitive function and professional practice, but researchers in the field have not sufficiently explored the possible effects of reductions in sleep time on social cognition. Objective: The aim of this is to further explore the effects of sleep restriction among medical residents, the specific impairments in social cognition that it produces, and the effects of a sleep hygiene orientation on those impairments. Method: There were 124 medical residents (50 males, 74 females) who completed a daily sleep/work log, a battery of sleep tests/questionnaires, and neuropsychological evaluations. The participants then received a short course (8 hours) on basic concepts of sleep hygiene and sleep psychoeducation. Once the course was completed, participants filled out the questionnaires again. Results: The results indicate that sleep disturbances in medical residents were associated with severe neurocognitive and social cognition impairments. After the sleep hygiene intervention, neuropsychological function and sleep parameters improved, awareness increased, and social cognition performance significantly improved. Conclusion: Using sleep psychoeducation and sleep hygiene intervention in medical residents is a simple strategy to mitigate the effects of sleep restriction.

Hand Hygiene by Ward Staff at Dapaong Regional Hospital in Togo

Introduction: Hand hygiene (HH) is an effective way to fight infections in healthcare settings. The general purpose of our study was to explore the knowledge, attitudes and practices of health care providers on HH at Dapaong regional hospital (DRH). Methodology: This was a prospective, descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from March to June 2022 in the DRH wards. Data were collected using a questionnaire and observation grid. Results: 90 care providers were surveyed. Males and non-physician personnel predominated with 57.8%, and 94.4% respectively. The survey on staff’s knowledge reported: 31.1% of practitioners did not wash their hands on arrival and departure in services. 24% did not know the difference between simple hand washing (SHW) and hygienic hand washing (HHW). 23.3% did not know the type of soap to use for HHW. The caregivers did not know the type of hand washing (HW) required after a septic and non-septic procedure in respectively 41.6%, and 37.8%. They did not know that there are two types of hand antiseptics (45.4%), nor the amount of antiseptic for HW (78.9%). The survey on staff’s attitude regarding HW found that: 70% did not remove all jewels prior HW, and 51.1% did not know that wearing gloves cannot replace the HW. For HW Staff Practice: 62.2% did not wash their hands before treatment. 91.1% did not spread the soap on their hands and forearms after wetting them. 65.55% did not rinse hands from nails to elbows. Conclusion: The HH was poorly known, the attitude of the staff was dangerous in relation to the HH and the practice of HH was very inadequate at the RHC-Dapaong. As a result, there is a need to retrain staff to increase their capacity to prevent care-related infections and enhance patient safety in the hospital.

Sanitary Evacuations at the Maternity Unit of the Social Hygiene Institute (IHS) in Dakar in 2020

Objective: Determine the frequency of evacuations, specify the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of the evacuees, evaluate the data of the evacuation, the management and the maternal-fetal prognosis. Methods: Prospective and descriptive retrospective study concerning obstetrical evacuations received at the maternity ward of the Hospital of the Institute of Social Hygiene in Dakar between January 1 and December 31, 2020, i.e. a period of 12 months. Results: During the study period, we collected 1156 evacuees out of a total of 3507 patients treated in the Service, i.e. a frequency of 33%. The average age of the patients was 27.07 years with extremes of 14 and 46 years. Patients aged between 20 and 29 were the most represented (51.73%). The average parity was 1.6 with extremes of 0 and 10 pares. The nulliparous (46.37%) were the majority. The majority of evacuated patients (99.6%) resided in the Dakar region, including 58% in the suburbs and 42% in the city center. The patients received had performed an average of 3 prenatal consultations with extremes ranging from 0 to 9 CPN. They most often came from health centers (55.05%) or hospitals (29.09%). The reasons for evacuations were dominated by dystocia (21.54%) followed by premature rupture of membranes (17.21%) and premature deliveries (16.35%). On admission, only 176 patients (15.2%) had an evacuation sheet. Patients transited on average through two health structures (extremes ranging from 0 to 7 structures) before reaching the reception structure. The evacuation was most often done with a private vehicle on the patient’s own means (91.96%). The outcome of the evacuees was most often vaginal delivery or hospitalization (72.79%). The majority of patients (99.4%) had evolved favorably but we deplore one maternal death (0.09%) linked to a late puerperal infection. We recorded 74 perinatal deaths and 1041 live births, i.e. a stillbirth rate of 71.1‰ live births. The causes of death were dominated by prematurity (24.7%). Conclusion: Obstetrical evacuations are frequent in our practice but they should be better organized to improve the maternal-fetal prognosis.

Hygiene假说的分子机制

变应性鼻炎的发生是环境因素和遗传因素相互作用的产物,Hygiene假说作为解释变应性鼻炎发病率增加重要的理论,其分子基础涉及Toll样受体及其相关的信号传递过程,这些研究将为进一步理解变应性鼻炎的发病过程、制定相应的治疗策略提供依据。

Hygiene hypothesis in inflammatory bowel disease: A criticalreview of the literature

The hygiene hypothesis is thought to be a significant contributor to the growing incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) around the world, although the evidence for specific factors that underlie the hygiene hypothesis in IBD is unclear. We aimed to systematically review the literature to determine which hygiene-related factors are associated with the development of IBD. Publications identified from a broad based MEDLINE and Current Contents search between 1966 and 2007 on key terms relevant to the 'hygiene hypothesis' and IBD including H pylori exposure, helminths, cold chain hypothesis, measles infection and vaccination, antibiotic use, breastfeeding, family size, sibship, urban upbringing, day care attendance and domestic hygiene were reviewed. The literature suggests that the hygiene hypothesis and its association with decreased microbial exposure in childhood probably plays an important role in the development of IBD, although the strength of the supporting data for each of the factors varies considerably. The most promising factors that may potentially be associated with development of IBD include H pylori exposure, helminths, breastfeeding and sibship. However, the vast majority of studies in this area are plagued by serious methodological shortcomings, particularly the reliance on retrospective recall of information making it difficult to truly ascertain the importance of a 'hygiene hypothesis' in IBD. The 'hygiene hypothesis' in IBD is an important area of research that may give clues to the aetiology of this disease. Directions for future research are recommended.

Fit to fight——from military hygiene to wellbeing in the British Army

This paper reviews the historical evolution of the language and organization surrounding the health of personnel in the British Army from‘hygiene’through to‘wellbeing’.It starts by considering the health of the army in the midnineteenth century and the emergence of military hygiene as a professional subject.It continues by looking at advances in military hygiene in the two world wars.Hygiene was replaced by the term‘health’in the 1950 s as the collective noun used by professionals working in this field.This unity split when the professions of occupational medicine and public health established separate faculties and training pathways.However,the health issues for the armed forces remain fundamentally unchanged.Going forward,the term‘wellbeing’is helping to refresh the close relationships between executives,their medical advisers and those within the population of health professions charged with keeping the British Army healthy.The core theme is the collaborations between civil society,executive leadership and medical services in maximizing the health of the military population from recruitment through to life as a veteran.

Hand Hygiene among Anesthesiologists and Microorganisms Contamination in Anesthesia Environments:A Single-Center Observational Study

Objective To investigate the baseline levels of microorganisms’growth on the hands of anesthesiologists and in the anesthesia environment at a cancer hospital.Methods This study performed in nine operating rooms and among 25 anesthesiologists at a cancer hospital.Sampling of the hands of anesthesiologists and the anesthesia environment was performed at a ready-to-use operating room before patient contact began and after decontamination.Results Microorganisms’growth results showed that 20%(5/25)of anesthesiologists’hands carried microorganisms(>10 CFU/cm^(2))before patient contact began.Female anesthesiologists performed hand hygiene better than did their male counterparts,with fewer CFUs(P=0.0069)and fewer species(P=0.0202).Our study also found that 55.6%(5/9)of ready-to-use operating rooms carried microorganisms(>5 CFU/cm^(2)).Microorganisms regrowth began quickly(1 hour)after disinfection,and increased gradually over time,reaching the threshold at 4 hours after disinfection.Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the hands of 20%(5/25)of anesthesiologists and 33.3%(3/9)of operating rooms.Conclusion Our study indicates that male anesthesiologists need to pay more attention to the standard operating procedures and effect evaluation of hand hygiene,daily cleaning rate of the operating room may be insufficient,and we would suggest that there should be a repeat cleaning every four hours.

A Study of Hygiene in Swedish Schools and Pre-Schools-Sources of Air Pollution

Poor indoor air quality is a large problem in Swedish schools, since the health of occupants may be affected. The building itself is often in focus and other building-related problems may be neglected. The hypothesis of this study is that factors other than the building itself have decisive influence on indoor environment. An assessment of these nonspecific building-related reasons for bad indoor environment has been made in the present work using surveys combined with particle measurements and comfort measurements (air humidity and air temperature). People are experiencing poor indoor air quality, the air is too dry and the temperature is uneven and uncomfortable indoors in the winter. It is important to highlight the problem of indoor environments with high particulate emissions especially in the range from 5.0 microns and larger since they are conveyers of allergens and bacteria, combined with dry air. An interesting observation regarding the ventilation system is that mechanical systems are tending to generate drier indoor air than the natural ventilation system. Results show that it is possible to decrease emissions through eliminating activity-related sources of airborne contaminants and better the comfort indoors with relatively simple measures.