A survey of hand hygiene practices on a residential college campus
Background
Upper respiratory tract infections and gastrointestinal tract infections are the cause of a significant level of illness on college campuses. However, preventative measures such as handwashing and hand sanitation are often not well-supported, understood, or practiced on campus.
Methods
A confidential, self-administered on-line survey was performed during April–May 2006.
Results
Nine hundred and ninety-four participants completed the survey. Of these, 49% were undergraduates, 30% were graduates, and 34% lived in residence halls on campus.
Conclusions
We recommend the importance of creating an awareness of proper hand hygiene practices as they relate to the everyday context of a college campus. In addition, we believe there is a need for hand hygiene education targeted at students. Finally, we strongly recommend that college authorities provide soap and a means of hand drying in all residential bathrooms.
Simmons College Center for Hygiene and Health in Home and Community and the Department of Biology, Boston, MA
Address correspondence to Elizabeth Scott, Department of Biology, Simmons College, 300 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115.
ABSTRACT