Hand Washing and Infection, Research Paper Example

Abstract

The Effect of Handwashing with Water or Soap on Bacterial Contamination of Hands

In this article the researchers were motivated to investigating effects of Handwashing with Water or Soap on Bacterial Contamination of Hands because they felt that health care providers and the general public were led into believing that handwashing was effective for preventing the transmission of diarrhea pathogens. However, there was no evidence to prove that handwashing with soap had the same capabilities (Burton, Cobb & Donachie, 2011).

What type of research? Clearly the researchers utilized a mixed method applying both Quantitative and Qualitative Designs. This is representative in the use of a randomised controlled trial for investigating whether non-antibacterial soap is better for reducing bacteria of potential faecal origin than water only. Randomized studies by nature usually adapt quantitative technique due to the desire for researchers’ to support their findings statistically. Then for explaining their findings a qualitative explanation is undertaken as was done in this study (Patton, 2002). More importantly, arguments for both approaches being used in one study is that quantitative and qualitative techniques one balances the other in relation to depth between the ability to generalize and accurately target the desired population (Hughes, 2013)

What was the research question(s) or hypothesis? The research hypothesis is encompassed in the statement ‘Handwashing is thought to be effective for the prevention of transmission of diarrhea pathogens’ (Burton et.al, 2011, p. 98). Supporting research questions emerging from this statement were identified as:-

• What is the effect of handwashing with water or soap on bacterial contamination of hands?
• What is effect of handwashing with water only on bacterial contamination of hands?

What is the sample, the sample size, and sample attributes? A sample of 20 volunteers were recruited for this study, which was conducted July and August 2009.There were no specific characteristics or attributes identified for the population neither sample eventually chosen.

What was the setting of the study? These 20 volunteers were taken to a large British museum, which was often visited by many people a during given day. Those who did not make the trip with the researcher were instructed to travel on a bus or the underground.Deliberately,during the trip they had to wipe their hands over hand contact surfaces like handrails, door handles and seats(Burton et.al, 2011).

The purpose for this activity was to ensure that some amount of bacterial contamination with these surfaces occurred. A pre-determined random sequence was developed unknown to these participants, during self-contamination experiment. After the contamination exercise was over participants were then instructed to wash their hands either with soap, water only or not to wash at all. This sequence was performed 24 times by each volunteer; for each of the three hand hygiene approaches 8 times with soap, water and no handwash. Ultimately, 480 samples were retrieved for investigation(Burton et.al, 2011).

What were the researcher’s findings?  44% of samples contained Bacteria of potential faecal origin mainly Enterococcus and Enterobacter. spp after no handwashing; 23% (p < 0.001) of  bacteria of bacteria was reduced through handwashing with water only. Handwashing withonly soap and water reduced the presence of bacteria to 8%.  Non-antibacterial soap and water handwashing was more effective in removing bacteria of potential faecal origin from hands than handwashing when water only is used. Consequently, the later approach was better for the prevention of transmission of diarrheal diseases(Burton et.al, 2011).

Please see link to article: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3037063/

References

Burton, M. Cobb, E., &Donachie, P. (2011).The Effect of Handwashing with Water or Soap on Bacterial Contamination of Hands.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 8(1), 97–104.

Hughes, C. (2013). Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches. Retrieved on November 14th, 2013 From http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/sociology/staff/academicstaff/chughes/hughesc_index/teachingresearchprocess/quantitativequalitative/quantitativequalitative

Patton, M. (2002).Qualitative research & evaluation methods. Thousand Oaks, CA. Sage.