scholarly journals Current infection control behaviour patterns in the UK, and how they can be improved by ‘Germ Defence’: an observational study of an online behavioural intervention to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the home. (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Ainsworth ◽  
Sascha Miller ◽  
James Denison-Day ◽  
Beth Stuart ◽  
Julia Groot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Observational Study ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Behavioural Intervention ◽  
Behaviour Change Techniques ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
Current Infection ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Control Behaviour

BACKGROUND To control the COVID-19 pandemic, people should adopt protective behaviours at home (self-isolation, social distancing, putting shopping/packages aside, wearing face-covering, cleaning and disinfecting, handwashing). There is currently limited support to help individuals conduct these behaviours. OBJECTIVE We aimed to report current household infection control behaviours in the UK, and examine how they might be improved. METHODS This was a pragmatic, cross-sectional observational study of anonymous participant data from Germ Defence (https://germdefence.org/), a freely available website providing behavioural advice for infection control within households. 28,285 users sought advice from four website pathways based on household status (advice to protect themselves generally, to protect others if the user was showing symptoms, to protect themselves if household members were showing symptoms, and to protect a household member who is at high risk). Users reported current infection control behaviours within the home, and intentions to change these behaviours. RESULTS Current behaviours varied across all infection control measures but were between ‘sometimes’ and ‘quite often’, except handwashing (‘very often’). Behaviours were similar regardless of the website pathway used. After using Germ Defence, users recorded intentions to improve infection control behaviour across all website pathways and for all behaviours. CONCLUSIONS Self-reported infection control behaviours other than handwashing are lower than is optimal for infection prevention, although handwashing is much higher. Advice using behaviour change techniques in Germ Defence led to intentions to improve these behaviours. Promoting Germ Defence within national and local public health/primary care guidance could reduce COVID-19 transmission.

scholarly journals Current infection control behaviour patterns in the UK, and how they can be improved by 'Germ Defence', an online behavioural intervention to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the home.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Ainsworth ◽  
Sascha Miller ◽  
James Denison-Day ◽  
Beth Stuart ◽  
Julia Groot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Behavioural Intervention ◽  
Behaviour Change Techniques ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Current Infection ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Control Behaviour

Background: Germ Defence (https://germdefence.org/) is a freely available website providing behavioural advice for infection control within households, using behaviour change techniques. This observational study reports current infection control behaviours in the home in UK and international users of the website, and examine how they might be improved to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Method: 28,285 users sought advice from four website pathways (to protect themselves generally, to protect others if the user was showing symptoms, to protect themselves if household members were showing symptoms, and to protect a household member who is at high risk) and completed outcome measures of current infection control behaviours within the home (self-isolation, social distancing, putting shopping/packages aside, wearing face-covering, cleaning and disinfecting, handwashing), and intentions to change these behaviours. Results: Current user behaviours mean scores varied across all infection control measures but were between 'sometimes' and 'quite often', except handwashing ('very often'). Behaviours were similar regardless of the website pathway used. After using Germ Defence, users recorded intentions to improve infection control behaviour across all website pathways and for all behaviours. Conclusions: Self-reported infection control behaviours other than handwashing are lower than is optimal for infection prevention, although reported handwashing is much higher. The advice using behaviour change techniques in Germ Defence led to intentions to improve these behaviours. This has been shown previously to reduce the incidence, severity and transmission of infections. These findings suggest that promoting Germ Defence within national and local public health guidance could reduce COVID-19 transmission.

scholarly journals Infection Control Behavior at Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Observational Study of a Web-Based Behavioral Intervention (Germ Defence)

10.2196/22197 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. e22197
Author(s):  
Ben Ainsworth ◽  
Sascha Miller ◽  
James Denison-Day ◽  
Beth Stuart ◽  
Julia Groot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Observational Study ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Local Public Health ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Control Behavior ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
At Home

Background To control the COVID-19 pandemic, people should adopt protective behaviors at home (self-isolation, social distancing, putting shopping and packages aside, wearing face coverings, cleaning and disinfecting, and handwashing). There is currently limited support to help individuals conduct these behaviors. Objective This study aims to report current household infection control behaviors in the United Kingdom and examine how they might be improved. Methods This was a pragmatic cross-sectional observational study of anonymous participant data from Germ Defence between May 6-24, 2020. Germ Defence is an open-access fully automated website providing behavioral advice for infection control within households. A total of 28,285 users sought advice from four website pathways based on household status (advice to protect themselves generally, to protect others if the user was showing symptoms, to protect themselves if household members were showing symptoms, and to protect a household member who is at high risk). Users reported current infection control behaviors within the home and intentions to change these behaviors. Results Current behaviors varied across all infection control measures but were between sometimes (face covering: mean 1.61, SD 1.19; social distancing: mean 2.40, SD 1.22; isolating: mean 2.78, SD 1.29; putting packages and shopping aside: mean 2.75, SD 1.55) and quite often (cleaning and disinfecting: mean 3.17, SD 1.18), except for handwashing (very often: mean 4.00, SD 1.03). Behaviors were similar regardless of the website pathway used. After using Germ Defence, users recorded intentions to improve infection control behavior across all website pathways and for all behaviors (overall average infection control score mean difference 0.30, 95% CI 0.29-0.31). Conclusions Self-reported infection control behaviors other than handwashing are lower than is optimal for infection prevention, although handwashing is much higher. Advice using behavior change techniques in Germ Defence led to intentions to improve these behaviors. Promoting Germ Defence within national and local public health and primary care guidance could reduce COVID-19 transmission.

Hospital-acquired infection awareness and control practices among healthcare staff: an evaluation

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (11) ◽  
pp. 296-302
Author(s):  
Pallavi Saraswat ◽  
Rajnarayan R Tiwari ◽  
Muralidhar Varma ◽  
Sameer Phadnis ◽  
Monica Sindhu
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Healthcare Facility ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Control Policies ◽  
Hospital Acquired Infection ◽  
Hospital Acquired Infections ◽  
Hospital Acquired

Background/Aims Hospital-acquired infections pose a risk to the wellbeing of both patients and staff. They are largely preventable, particularly if hospital staff have adequate knowledge of and adherence to infection control policies. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, awareness and practice of hospital-acquired infection control measures among hospital staff. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 71 staff members in a tertiary healthcare facility in Karnataka, India. The researchers distributed a questionnaire containing 33 questions regarding knowledge of hospital-acquired infections, awareness of infection control policies and adherence to control practices. The results were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 16.0 and a Kruskal–Wallis test. Results Respondents' mean percentage score on the knowledge of hospital-acquired infections section was 72%. Their mean percentage scores on the awareness and practice of infection prevention measures sections were 82% and 77% respectively. Doctors and those with more years of experience typically scored higher. Conclusion The respondents had an acceptable level of knowledge, awareness and adherence to infection control practices. However, continued training is essential in the prevention of hospital-acquired infections. The majority of the respondents stated that they were willing to undertake training in this area, and this opportunity should be provided in order to improve infection control quality.

What Makes a Tweet Fly? Analysis of Twitter Messaging at Four Infection Control Conferences

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (11) ◽  
pp. 1271-1276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett G. Mitchell ◽  
Philip L. Russo ◽  
Jonathan A. Otter ◽  
Martin A. Kiernan ◽  
Landon Aveling
Keyword(s):  
Network Analysis ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression Model ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Activity Networks ◽  
The Uk

OBJECTIVETo examine tweeting activity, networks, and common topics mentioned on Twitter at 4 international infection control and infectious disease conferences.DESIGNA cross-sectional study.METHODSAn independent company was commissioned to undertake a Twitter ‘trawl’ each month between July 1, 2016, and November 31, 2016. The trawl identified any tweets that contained the official hashtags of the conferences for (1) the UK Infection Prevention Society, (2) IDWeek 2016, (3) the Federation of Infectious Society/Hospital Infection Society, and (4) the Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control. Topics from each tweet were identified, and an examination of the frequency and timing of tweets was performed. A social network analysis was performed to illustrate connections between users. A multivariate binary logistic regression model was developed to explore the predictors of ‘retweets.’RESULTSIn total, 23,718 tweets were identified as using 1 of the 2 hashtags of interest. The results demonstrated that the most tweets were posted during the conferences. Network analysis demonstrated a diversity of twitter networks. A link to a web address was a significant predictor of whether a tweet would be retweeted (odds ratio [OR], 2.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9–2.1). Other significant factors predicting a retweet included tweeting on topics such as Clostridium difficile (OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.7–2.4) and the media (OR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.6–2.0). Tweets that contained a picture were significantly less likely to be retweeted (OR, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.05–0.08).CONCLUSIONTwitter is a useful tool for information sharing and networking at infection control conferences.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:1271–1276

scholarly journals Content Analysis of the Free COVID-19 Telephone Consultations Available during the First Wave of the Pandemic in Japan

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1593
Author(s):  
Kyoko Yoshioka-Maeda ◽  
Yuka Sumikawa ◽  
Noriha Tanaka ◽  
Chikako Honda ◽  
Riho Iwasaki-Motegi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Telephone Consultation ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Consultation Services

This cross-sectional study aimed to (1) describe the unclassified contents of telephone consultation services provided by a public health center during the first wave of COVID-19 in Japan and (2) examine whether the contents required assistance from public health nurses (PHNs). We analyzed a total of 207 calls in which the purpose of the call was unclassified into pre-set categories. PHNs transcribed the exact text of the consultation conversations recorded from 25 March to 20 April 2020 in City A. Approximately half of the calls were from residents. Seven categories were extracted through a qualitative content analysis. The most common topic was infection control measures, where the presence of COVID-19 infection was assumed (n = 62); the second most common was extreme anxiety and fear of infection (n = 50). Questions about the COVID-19 response system (n = 30), discrimination and misunderstandings about COVID-19 (n = 24), and response measures for COVID-19 outbreaks within organizations (n = 18) were also included. The unclassified consultations included various topics, several of which required the expertise of a PHN. Each local government should consider sharing and task-shifting telephone consultation services among PHNs and other staff to reduce their burden and allow them to concentrate on conducting infection control more effectively.

scholarly journals Nurses’ Self-report on the Infection Control Unit Activities and their Experience in the Hospital toward Nosocomial Infections in the Sulaimani Hospitals

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 166-177
Author(s):  
Ramand Haji ◽  
◽  
Dana Abdilkarim ◽  
Salar Ali ◽  
Srwa Mohammad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Nosocomial Infections ◽  
Control Unit ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Health Staff ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Spss Software

Background and objectives: Nurses can prevent the occurrence and transmission of noso-comial infections by following infection control measures such as wearing gloves and masks, using appropriate disinfection of skin and preventing accidental needle-stick inju-ries. This research aimed to evaluate the availability of hospital uniforms, personal protec-tive equipment, and infection control activities at hospitals in Sulaimani in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and to examine nurses’ experience of nosocomial infections. Methods and materials: A cross-sectional study was performed at 10 governmental hospi-tals during the period from 20th February to 28th September 2018. 525 nurses were se-lected as participants by a convenience sampling method. A self-administrated question-naire was used to collect data, which were analysed using SPSS software. Results: The results showed that 268 nurses (51%) reported that their hospitals provided sufficient uniforms to all the medical staff and the majority of nurses, 444 respondents (84.6%) stated that they were responsible for cleaning their working uniforms. 441 nurses reported that they did not acquire a nosocomial infection, and 479 (91.2%) did not have an accident during their work in the hospital. 79.9% of the nurses (404) reported recapping syringe needles after the usage, and 98 (18.7%) gave a low rating to the infection control unit activity in their hospitals. Finally, more than half of nurses (330) representing 62.9% of the sample were vaccinated against nosocomial infections. Conclusions: Most of Sulaimani governmental hospitals are providing sufficient uniforms for the health staff, the majority of nurses were vaccinated against one or more nosocomi-al infections, and the majority of nurses do needle syringe recapping.

Personal Healthcare Worker (HCW) and Work-Site Characteristics That Affect HCWs' Use of Respiratory-Infection Control Measures in Ambulatory Healthcare Settings

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wayne Turnberg ◽  
William Daniell ◽  
Terri Simpson ◽  
Jude Van Buren ◽  
Noah Seixas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Healthcare Worker ◽  
Respiratory Infection ◽  
Emergency Care ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Management Support ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Work Site ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Site Characteristics

Objectives.To identify healthcare worker (HCW) and work-site characteristics associated with HCWs' reported use of recommended respiratory-infection control practices in primary and emergency care settings.Design.A cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire for HCWs during the summer and fall of 2005.Setting.Primary and emergency care clinics at 5 medical centers in King County, Seattle, Washington.Results.Nurse professionals who reported receiving training (odds ratio [OR], 2.5 [confidence interval {CI}, 1.1–5.9]; P = .029), instructional feedback from supervisors (OR, 3.0 [CI, 1.5–5.9]; P = .002), and management support for implementing safe work practices had a higher odds of also reporting adherence to recommended respiratory precautions, compared with nurses who did not. Training was the only important determinant for adherence to respiratory precaution measures among medical practitioners (OR, 5.5 [CI, 1.2–25.8]; P = .031). The reported rate of adherence to hand hygiene practices was higher among nurse professionals who were male (OR, 2.2 [CI, 1.0–4.9]; P = .045), had infants, small children, or older adults living at home (OR, 2.2 [CI, 1.2–3.9]; P = .007), reported cleanliness and orderliness of the establishment where they worked (OR, 2.0 [CI, 1.1–3.5]; P = .019), had received respiratory-infection control training (OR, 3.2 [CI, 1.8–6.0]; P<.001), and reported fears about catching a dangerous respiratory infection at work (OR, 2.3 [CI, 1.2–4.5]; P= .011).Conclusion.A number of HCW and work-site characteristics associated with HCWs' use of recommended respiratory-infection control measures have been identified. These potentially influential characteristics should be considered as targets or guides for further investigation, which should include the evaluation of intervention strategies.

scholarly journals Investigating Wilms’ Tumours Worldwide: A Report of the OxPLORE Collaboration—A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 295-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Ford ◽  
S. Gunawardana ◽  
E. Manirambona ◽  
G. S. Philipoh ◽  
B. Mukama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Research Collaboration ◽  
Multidisciplinary Treatment ◽  
High Income ◽  
Junior Doctors ◽  
Paediatric Surgery ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Oncology Research ◽  
The Uk

Abstract Background Childhood cancer is neglected within global health. Oxford Pediatrics Linking Oncology Research with Electives describes early outcomes following collaboration between low- and high-income paediatric surgery and oncology centres. The aim of this paper is twofold: to describe the development of a medical student-led research collaboration; and to report on the experience of Wilms’ tumour (WT). Methods This cross-sectional observational study is reported as per STROBE guidelines. Collaborating centres included three tertiary hospitals in Tanzania, Rwanda and the UK. Data were submitted by medical students following retrospective patient note review of 2 years using a standardised data collection tool. Primary outcome was survival (point of discharge/death). Results There were 104 patients with WT reported across all centres over the study period (Tanzania n = 71, Rwanda n = 26, UK n = 7). Survival was higher in the high-income institution [87% in Tanzania, 92% in Rwanda, 100% in the UK (X2 36.19, p < 0.0001)]. Given the short-term follow-up and retrospective study design, this likely underestimates the true discrepancy. Age at presentation was comparable at the two African sites but lower in the UK (one-way ANOVA, F = 0.2997, p = 0.74). Disease was more advanced in Tanzania at presentation (84% stage III–IV cf. 60% and 57% in Rwanda and UK, respectively, X2 7.57, p = 0.02). All patients had pre-operative chemotherapy, and a majority had nephrectomy. Post-operative morbidity was higher in lower resourced settings (X2 33.72, p < 0.0001). Methodology involving medical students and junior doctors proved time- and cost-effective. This collaboration was a valuable learning experience for students about global research networks. Conclusions This study demonstrates novel research methodology involving medical students collaborating across the global south and global north. The comparison of outcomes advocates, on an institutional level, for development in access to services and multidisciplinary treatment of WT.

Five hepatitis B outbreaks in care homes in the UK associated with deficiencies in infection control practice in blood glucose monitoring

2010 ◽  
Vol 139 (3) ◽  
pp. 327-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. F. DUFFELL ◽  
L. M. MILNE ◽  
C. SENG ◽  
Y. YOUNG ◽  
S. XAVIER ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Glucose ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Hbv Infection ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Blood Glucose Monitoring ◽  
Community Healthcare ◽  
Glucose Testing ◽  
Blood Glucose Testing ◽  
The Uk

SUMMARYHealthcare-associated hepatitis B virus (HBV) outbreaks have been reported in the USA and from several countries in Europe. Patient-to-patient transmission of HBV in these settings has been linked to several different types of exposure but one of the most common exposures implicated is the use of ‘finger-stick’ lancet devices for blood glucose testing. This article is an account of the investigations into a series of HBV outbreaks linked to the use of lancing devices in community healthcare settings in the UK. Between February 2004 and December 2006, nine individuals with acute HBV infection were reported to five local units of the Health Protection Agency. Investigations identified a further 12 individuals with HBV infection in residents in these settings. The epidemiological and environmental evidence suggests that HBV transmission occurred mostly from a significant breakdown in infection control measures in blood glucose testing. The occurrence of these outbreaks has highlighted the confusion that exists and the need for clear recommendations regarding the use of such devices in the UK.

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