Tuesday 01 April 2008, 12:00AM
PEARLS 56, April 2008, written by Brian R
McAvoy
Clinical question
How effective is hand washing in preventing diarrhoea in children
and adults?
Bottom line
Hand washing can reduce diarrhoea episodes by about 30 per cent in
institutions in high-income countries and in communities in
low-income or middle-income countries. Hand washing is particularly
important after defaecation and handling faeces, and before
preparing and eating food.
Caveat
Trials are needed with longer follow-up (more than 12 months) and
that test different methods of promoting hand washing.
Context
Diarrhoea is a serious global public health problem,
particularly in low-income and middle-income countries.The World
Health Organization estimates that over three million episodes
occur each year, with many people dying, especially children aged
less than five years in low-income and middle-income countries.
Cochrane Systematic Review
Ejemont RI et al. Hand washing for preventing diarrhoea.
Cochrane Reviews 2008, Issue 1. Article No. CD004265. DOI:
10.1002/14651858.CD004265.pub2. Note: This review contains 14
trials involving 17,465 participants.