Can a handwashing intervention make a difference? Results from a randomized controlled trial in Jerusalem preschools

Laura Rosen; Orly Manor; Dan Engelhard; David Brody; Bruce Rosen; Hannah Peleg; Marina Meir; David Zucker

doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2005.09.012

Can a handwashing intervention make a difference? Results from a randomized controlled trial in Jerusalem preschools

Laura Rosen^*, Orly Manor, Dan Engelhard, David Brody, Bruce Rosen, Hannah Peleg, Marina Meir, David Zucker

^*Corresponding author for this work

Department of Statistics

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

66 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background. Preschools are often focal points for the spread of illness among young children. The objective of this preschool intervention trial was to determine whether a hygiene program can promote handwashing and thereby reduce illness absenteeism. Methods. This cluster randomized trial included 40 Jerusalem preschools with 1029 children for 6 baseline days and 66 study days, yielding 73,779 child days. The main outcomes were rates of handwashing and illness absenteeism. The intervention included an educational program and environmental changes. A simultaneous subtrial was run to test a home component. Results. This multi-site intervention program produced sustained behavioral and environmental changes over a 6-month period. An approximately threefold increase in handwashing with soap was observed among preschool children exposed to the intervention. Neither the preschool nor the home intervention program reduced illness absenteeism or overall absenteeism. Conclusions. This trial illuminates the potential of the preschool as a promising venue for health promotion activities leading to sustained behavioral change, yet suggests the need for enhanced approaches for reducing illness absenteeism.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	27-32
Number of pages	6
Journal	Preventive Medicine
Volume	42
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2005.09.012
State	Published - Jan 2006

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors gratefully acknowledge grants received from The Chief Scientist's Office of the Ministry of Health; Associate Director General's Unit for Health Promotion of the Ministry of Health; and the National Institute for Health Services Research. We are also indebted to the Preschool and Public Health Departments of the Municipality of Jerusalem for logistical assistance.

Keywords

Communicable disease prevention
Community intervention trial
Handwashing
Health education
Health promotion
Pediatric communicable disease
Preschool illness absenteeism
Randomized controlled trial

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1016/j.ypmed.2005.09.012

Cite this

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abstract = "Background. Preschools are often focal points for the spread of illness among young children. The objective of this preschool intervention trial was to determine whether a hygiene program can promote handwashing and thereby reduce illness absenteeism. Methods. This cluster randomized trial included 40 Jerusalem preschools with 1029 children for 6 baseline days and 66 study days, yielding 73,779 child days. The main outcomes were rates of handwashing and illness absenteeism. The intervention included an educational program and environmental changes. A simultaneous subtrial was run to test a home component. Results. This multi-site intervention program produced sustained behavioral and environmental changes over a 6-month period. An approximately threefold increase in handwashing with soap was observed among preschool children exposed to the intervention. Neither the preschool nor the home intervention program reduced illness absenteeism or overall absenteeism. Conclusions. This trial illuminates the potential of the preschool as a promising venue for health promotion activities leading to sustained behavioral change, yet suggests the need for enhanced approaches for reducing illness absenteeism.",

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note = "Funding Information: The authors gratefully acknowledge grants received from The Chief Scientist's Office of the Ministry of Health; Associate Director General's Unit for Health Promotion of the Ministry of Health; and the National Institute for Health Services Research. We are also indebted to the Preschool and Public Health Departments of the Municipality of Jerusalem for logistical assistance.",

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AU - Brody, David

AU - Rosen, Bruce

AU - Peleg, Hannah

AU - Meir, Marina

AU - Zucker, David

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Can a handwashing intervention make a difference? Results from a randomized controlled trial in Jerusalem preschools

Abstract

Bibliographical note

Keywords

UN SDGs

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