Sub-optimal hand sanitiser usage in a hospital entrance during an influenza pandemic, New Zealand, August 2009

R Murray; C Chandler; Y Clarkson; N Wilson; M Baker; R Cunningham; on behalf of the Wellington Respiratory and Hand Hygiene Study Group

doi:10.2807/ese.14.37.19331-en

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Sub-optimal hand sanitiser usage in a hospital entrance during an influenza pandemic, New Zealand, August 2009
R Murray¹ , C Chandler¹ , Y Clarkson¹ , N Wilson¹ , M Baker¹ , R Cunningham¹ , on behalf of the Wellington Respiratory and Hand Hygiene Study Group²
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Affiliations: ¹ Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand ² The members of the group are listed at the end of this article

Correspondence:
R Murray
murra534 student.otago.ac.nz
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Citation style for this article: Murray R, Chandler C, Clarkson Y, Wilson N, Baker M, Cunningham R, on behalf of the Wellington Respiratory and Hand Hygiene Study Group. Sub-optimal hand sanitiser usage in a hospital entrance during an influenza pandemic, New Zealand, August 2009. Euro Surveill. 2009;14(37):pii=19331. https://doi.org/10.2807/ese.14.37.19331-en Received: 15 Sept 2009

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Abstract

The hand hygiene behaviours of the public in response to the current H1N1 influenza pandemic 2009 (or other pandemics) have not previously been described. An observational study was undertaken to examine hand hygiene behaviours by people passing a hand sanitiser station in the foyer of a public hospital in New Zealand in August 2009. Of the 2,941 subjects observed, 449 (18.0%, 95% confidence interval: 16.6, 19.6) used the hand sanitiser. This is a far from optimal result in response to the health promotion initiatives in the setting of a pandemic. These findings suggest the need for more effective health promotion of hand hygiene and also provide baseline measurements for future evaluation of hygiene practices.