Evaluating the efficacy of handwashing demonstration on hand hygiene among school students – An interventional study

BACKGROUND: Washing of hands and maintenance of appropriate hand hygiene plays a significant role in preventing the spread of many communicable diseases. However, literature demonstrating the efficacy of the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended handwashing procedure among schoolchildren in India is scanty. AIM: The aim of this study was to assess hand hygiene efficacy through graphical assessment technique utilizing ultraviolet (UV)-sensitive fluorescent lotion before and after handwashing demonstration among students aged 12–18 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was an interventional study carried out over a period of 5 days among 21 schoolchildren aged 12–18 years in their respective school premises. Participants were requested to rub their hands with an UV-sensitive fluorescent lotion and then wash them. Hands were air-dried and examined under UV rays for blue light emission in a dark room. Emission of blue light highlighted parts of hand where lotion is still present and area not washed properly. Such areas were painted with nontoxic skin-friendly paints. Painted hands were imprinted over graph papers. Hand hygiene demonstration was provided to the participants as per the WHO guidelines by qualified public health dentists using audiovisual aids. Postintervention, the procedure followed at baseline was adopted to obtain imprints of uncovered (not covered during hand hygiene process) parts of hands. The mean percentage of uncovered parts of hand was assessed and compared between baseline and postintervention. RESULTS: The overall mean percentage score of uncovered hand area significantly reduced from 73.90 ± 19.81 mm(2) at baseline to 20.05 ± 17.0 mm(2) after demonstration of proper hand hygiene guidelines (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Hand hygiene demonstration by qualified public health dentists using audio-visual aids has significantly contributed to improving their hand hygiene practice.