Effectiveness of hand hygiene practices in preventing influenza virus infection in the community setting: A systematic review

Abstract

Background Hand hygiene is known to be an effective infection prevention and control measure in health care settings. However, the effectiveness of hand hygiene practices in preventing influenza infection and transmission in the community setting is not clear. Objective To identify, review and synthesize available evidence on the effectiveness of hand hygiene in preventing laboratory-confirmed or possible influenza infection and transmission in the community setting. Methods A systematic review protocol was established prior to conducting the review. Three electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library) were searched to identify relevant studies. Two reviewers independently screened the titles, abstracts and full-texts of studies retrieved from the database searches for potential eligibility. Data extraction and quality assessment of included studies were performed by a single reviewer and validated by a second reviewer. Included studies were synthesized and analyzed narratively. Results A total of 16 studies were included for review. Studies were of low methodological quality and there was high variability in study design, setting, context and outcome measures. Nine studies evaluated the effectiveness of hand hygiene interventions or practices in preventing laboratory-confirmed or possible influenza infection in the community setting; six studies showed a significant difference, three studies did not. Seven studies assessed the effectiveness of hand hygiene practices in preventing laboratory-confirmed or possible influenza transmission in the community setting; two studies found a significant difference and five studies did not. Conclusion The effectiveness of hand hygiene against influenza virus infection and transmission in the community setting is difficult to determine based on the available evidence. In light of its proven effectiveness in other settings, there is no compelling evidence to stop using good hand hygiene practice to reduce the risk of influenza infection and transmission in the community setting.

Effectiveness of Surgical Face Masks in Reducing Acute Respiratory Infections in Non-Healthcare Settings: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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Lower respiratory tract infection in the community: associations between viral aetiology and illness course

“…However, although we do not provide recommendations on clinical management or treatment, we do think that the large number of patients included in this study provides important information which can be used to prioritize different respiratory viruses in the primary care setting. Currently, public health resources in the general community are guided by the aim to prevent complications in the most vulnerable people, and are focused almost exclusively on influenza [11,22,23]. From a socio-economic perspective, however, targeting public health resources only at influenza virus neglects the substantial illness course in the community caused by other respiratory viruses.…”

Availability and factors influencing community level handwashing facility in Ethiopia: Implication for prevention of infectious diseases

“…Handwashing with soap is one of the most effective and inexpensive means of reducing the spread of infectious diseases [ 1 ]. Presence of designated handwashing facilities in the household promote handwashing practice at all critical times [ 2 ].…”

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