title: Preference and compliance of waterless hand-hygiene products versus soap and water.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare handwashing using traditional antimicrobial soap and water with two antimicrobial waterless hand-hygiene products for personal preference and compliance.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty dental and dental hygiene students were randomly chosen to participate in the study. All subjects were anonymously observed prior to the introduction of the waterless products for handwashing compliance using soap and water for 1 week. All subjects were then instructed on the use of a waterless gel and foam for handwashing. Both waterless products were used for a period of 1 week and students again were anonymously observed. A questionnaire was distributed at the conclusion of the study to determine product preference.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During handwashing with soap and water, the average time the soap was in contact with the hands was 7.0 seconds. The average contact time with the gel and foam was 15.3 seconds and 20.0 seconds, respectfully. Questionnaire results indicated that the foam was significantly preferred over the gel and soap and water (54%, 28% and 16%, respectively). The foam was also significantly preferred when evaluating fragrance (52%), kindness to the skin (66%), convenience (64%) and fastest drying time (54%). Results from this study indicate that the waterless foam product was significantly preferred over the waterless gel and traditional soap and water for handwashing procedures. Since handwashing guidelines, regardless of which product used, recommend a minimum of 15 seconds to minimize the number of transient microorganisms on the hands, compliance was found only with the foam and the gel.
authors.affiliation: Dental Hygiene, Section of Primary Care, College of Dentistry, Ohio State University, Columbus, USA. carr.3@osu.edu
authors.forename: Michele P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gilmore
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Rashid
mesh_terms: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003756:Dental Hygienists / Q000193:education; D000431:Ethanol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006235:Hand Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D012915:Soaps / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013334:Students; D013335:Students, Dental; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D012915:Soaps; D014867:Water; D000431:Ethanol