Increasing hand washing compliance with a simple visual cue.
We tested the efficacy of a simple, visual cue to increase hand washing with soap and water. Automated towel dispensers in 8 public bathrooms were set to present a towel either with or without activation by users. We set the 2 modes to operate alternately for 10 weeks. Wireless sensors were used to record entry into bathrooms. Towel and soap consumption rates were checked weekly. There were 97,351 hand-washing opportunities across all restrooms. Towel use was 22.6% higher (P=.05) and soap use was 13.3% higher (P=.003) when the dispenser presented the towel without user activation than when activation was required. Results showed that a visual cue can increase hand-washing compliance in public facilities.
At the time of the study, Eric W. Ford was with the Bryan School of Business and Economics, University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). Brian T. Boyer is with the Bryan School of Business and Economics, UNCG. Nir Menachemi is with the School of Public Health, University of Alabama, Birmingham. Timothy R. Huerta is with the College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus.
Eric W
EW
Ford
Brian T
BT
Boyer
Nir
N
Menachemi
Timothy R
TR
Huerta
D001296:Audiovisual Aids; D005260:Female; D006235:Hand Disinfection; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012915:Soaps / Q000008:administration & dosage
D012915:Soaps