The Impact of a Health Campaign on Hand Hygiene and Upper Respiratory Illness Among College Students Living in Residence Halls

Abstract

Hand hygiene is a key element in preventing the transmission of cold and flu viruses. The authors conducted an experimental-control design study in 4 campus residence halls to determine whether a message campaign about hand hygiene and the availability of gel hand sanitizer could decrease cold and flu illness and school and work absenteeism. Their findings indicate that students who were exposed to the message campaign and provided with gel hand sanitizer increased their knowledge about the potential health benefits of hand washing and sanitizer use; they reported higher rates of hand washing and using sanitizer than did the control group. These students also experienced fewer cold and flu illnesses during the study than those in the control group and missed fewer class or work engagements because of colds or flu. Conducting a health promotion campaign in residence halls may therefore help prevent colds and flu and decrease absenteeism on university campuses.

Predicting and explaining behavioral intention and hand sanitizer use among US Army soldiers

“…A follow-up study used a pretest-posttest control group study to explore hand sanitizer attitude, knowledge, and perceived behavior for 391 participants in residence halls. After a health campaign, the experimental group reported 26% fewer illnesses and 40% fewer absences than the control group (White et al, 2005).…”

“…If time and sink/facility limitations exist, instant hand sanitizers have shown a significant advantage over traditional antimicrobial soap (Dyer, Shinder, & Shinder, 2000;Dyer, Gerenratch, &Wadhams, 1998;Lee, Jordan, Sanchez, & Gaydos, 2005;White et al, 2001;White et al, 2005;FDA, 2003). Additionally, hand hygiene with the use of hand sanitizers will result in less skin irritation and will minimize time constraints (Boyce et al, 2000).…”

“…Studies have also demonstrated the effectiveness of instant hand sanitizers in reducing illness (Doebbeling et al, 1992;Dyer et al, 2000;Guinan, McGuckin, & Ali, 2002;Larson, Cimiotti, Haas, Parides, Nesin, Della, & Saiman, 2005;Lee et al, 2005;White et al, 2001;White et al, 2005). The CDC (2002) has recommended that using alcohol-based hand sanitizers is acceptable if hands are not visibly soiled (Boyce & Pittet, 2002).…”

“…Use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers, which are efficient against a variety of bacteria and viruses, can be considered as either a supplement to traditional hand washing or as a primary means of hand hygiene. These recommendations are based on well-designed experimental, clinical, and epidemiologic studies (Dyer, Gerenratch, & Wadhams, 1998;Dyer et al, 2000;Guinan et al, 2002;Lee et al, 2005;Storr & Clayton, 2004;White et al, 2001;White et al, 2005).…”

“…Studies link hand hygiene to disease and infections in many congregate settings, including elementary schools, college and university campuses, healthcare, and military (Larson et., 2005;Ryan et al, 2001;White, et al, 2001;White, et al, 2005).…”