Journal of dental hygiene science (치위생과학회지)

The Korean Society of Dental Hygiene Science (한국치위생과학회)
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Comparison of the Degree of Bacterial Removal by Hand Hygiene Products

  • Hwang, Young Sun (Department of Dental Hygiene, College of Health Science, Eulji University)
  • Received : 2022.01.17
  • Accepted : 2022.02.24
  • Published : 2022.03.31
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Abstract

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic increased awareness regarding the importance of hand hygiene in infection prevention. Although social distancing and vaccination are the strongest ways to prevent infection, personal hand hygiene is the most basic and easiest way to maintain public health. However, in addition to hand washing using running water, sanitizing tissues, and disinfection products are convenient for hand hygiene, especially outdoors. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the appropriateness of individual hand hygiene methods. In this study, we investigated the degree of hand hygiene offered by various hygiene products and hand drying methods for maintaining hand hygiene. Methods: An LED UV light kit was used for fluorescent observation of hand contamination. Bacteria from the hands were cultured to compare the degree of hand hygiene offered by various hygiene products. Bacteria were cultured in a hand-shaped medium dish to identify areas vulnerable to hand hygiene. Moreover, the degree of hand hygiene was observed according to the drying method using bacterial cultures. Results: We confirmed that hand washing under running water with antibacterial soap, sanitizing with alcohol gel disinfectant, and wiping with antibacterial wet wipes was effective for hand hygiene compared to washing under running water alone. However, for all hygiene products, a large number of bacteria were detected on the fingertips. We verified that natural drying, rather than rubbing, is effective in maintaining hand hygiene. Conclusion: These results suggest that hand hygiene products and drying methods are critical in hand hygiene management. Therefore, these results provide a basis for determining whether an individual's hand hygiene management method is appropriate.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (2018R1D1A1B07042035).

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