Comparing hand washing to hand sanitizers in reducing elementary school students' absenteeism.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to standard hand washing in reducing illness and subsequent absenteeism in school-age children.


METHODS
A randomized cross-over design was used with 18 classrooms of 2nd and 3rd grade students (n = 383) from 4 elementary schools. Half of the classes from each school used an anti-microbial gel hand sanitizer while the other half used soap and water for regular hand hygiene for 2 months, then, the students switched cleaning methods for the following 2 months.


RESULTS
No significant differences in absenteeism rates were demonstrated. A follow-up focus group comprised of teachers and school nurses indicated that hand sanitizers were preferred over soap and water.


CONCLUSIONS
Hand sanitizers are an appropriate alternative to hand washing for hand cleansing and may offer additional benefits in the school setting.
Vessey
Judith A
JA
Boston College, William F. Connell School of Nursing, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA.
Sherwood
Jessie J
JJ
Warner
Dorothy
D
Clark
Diane
D
D000041:Absenteeism; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002755:Choice Behavior; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D017144:Focus Groups; D005782:Gels; D006235:Hand Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012573:School Nursing; D012915:Soaps / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D005782:Gels; D012915:Soaps