Use of antiseptic hand rubs in the health and community services industry: an Australian population-based survey.
BACKGROUND
The use of antiseptic hand rubs (AHRs), rather than washing with soap and water, is considered to be the gold standard for reducing the frequency of nosocomial infections, as well as being less damaging to the hands than washing with soap and water, but little is known at a population level about usage patterns for AHRs.


OBJECTIVE
To describe AHR use patterns among workers in the health and community services industry in Australia.


METHODS
Using data from a population-based survey of Australian workers, we focused on health and community services workers' exposure to chemicals at work, including the use of AHRs. Data regarding the frequency of hand-washing were also collected.


RESULTS
Nine hundred and fifty-six health and community service workers participated in the Australian National Hazard Exposure Worker Surveillance survey. Of these, 11% reported using AHRs, and 31% reported hand-washing >20 times per shift. According to an adjusted logistic regression model, professional workers [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.29, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.40-3.72] and frequent hand washers (aOR 3.08, 95%CI: 1.92-4.93) were more likely to use AHRs.


CONCLUSIONS
AHR use by health and community service workers was generally lower than expected. AHR use was most likely to be reported by professionals and frequent hand washers, suggesting that AHRs are used as an adjunct to conventional hand-washing.
Monash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, 3004, Victoria, Australia.
Ewan
E
MacFarlane
Population Health Strategic Research Centre, School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia.|McCaughey VicHealth Centre for Community Wellbeing, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3010, Victoria, Australia.
Anthony D
AD
LaMontagne
School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia.
Tim
T
Driscoll
Occupational Dermatology Research and Education Centre, Skin and Cancer Foundation, Melbourne, Victoria, 3053, Australia.|Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3010, Victoria, Australia.
Rosemary L
RL
Nixon
Monash Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, 3004, Victoria, Australia.|Centre for Ergonomics and Human Factors, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria 3086, Australia.
Tessa
T
Keegel
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006235:Hand Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D064548:Hand Sanitizers / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006282:Health Personnel; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
D064548:Hand Sanitizers
antiseptic hand rubs; nurses; wet work