S Y Tao1, Y L Cheng, Y Lu, Y H Hu, D F Chen. 1. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Centre, 38 Xue Yuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To describe the patterns of handwashing behaviour among Chinese adults, and assess their associations with sociodemographic factors and knowledge of hand hygiene. STUDY DESIGN: A representative sample (n = 6159) of Chinese adults aged 18-60 years in five provinces was attained by multiple-stage, stratified sampling mainly based on geographical location and economic status. Data on handwashing behaviour, knowledge of hand hygiene and sociodemographic factors were collected through self-administrated questionnaires. METHODS: Associations between handwashing behaviour and sociodemographic factors were tested in logistic models. Path analysis was applied to examine the associations between sociodemographic factors, knowledge of hand hygiene and proper handwashing behaviour in order to evaluate the relative magnitude of these determinants and internal relationships. RESULTS: This study found that 52.7% (rural vs urban: 44.6% vs 56.8%) and 67.3% (rural vs urban: 59.7% vs 71.1%) of Chinese adults reported they always washed hands before eating and after defaecation, and 30.0% (rural vs urban: 25.1% vs 32.8%) of adults always used soap or other sanitizers during washing. Using the criteria of 'always or very often washing hands with soap before eating and after defaecation without sharing a towel with family members after washing', only 47.2% (rural vs urban: 23.8% vs 59.1%) of the adults were graded to practice proper handwashing behaviour. Urban area, high level of education level, high level of knowledge about diseases, female gender and older age were protective factors for good hand hygiene; of these, area was found to be associated most strongly with handwashing behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to an appropriate handwashing method and duration of handwashing are critical problems among Chinese adults. Area difference, level of education and level of knowledge of hand hygiene were most strongly associated with handwashing behaviour, and should be targeted in future health education.
OBJECTIVES: To describe the patterns of handwashing behaviour among Chinese adults, and assess their associations with sociodemographic factors and knowledge of hand hygiene. STUDY DESIGN: A representative sample (n = 6159) of Chinese adults aged 18-60 years in five provinces was attained by multiple-stage, stratified sampling mainly based on geographical location and economic status. Data on handwashing behaviour, knowledge of hand hygiene and sociodemographic factors were collected through self-administrated questionnaires. METHODS: Associations between handwashing behaviour and sociodemographic factors were tested in logistic models. Path analysis was applied to examine the associations between sociodemographic factors, knowledge of hand hygiene and proper handwashing behaviour in order to evaluate the relative magnitude of these determinants and internal relationships. RESULTS: This study found that 52.7% (rural vs urban: 44.6% vs 56.8%) and 67.3% (rural vs urban: 59.7% vs 71.1%) of Chinese adults reported they always washed hands before eating and after defaecation, and 30.0% (rural vs urban: 25.1% vs 32.8%) of adults always used soap or other sanitizers during washing. Using the criteria of 'always or very often washing hands with soap before eating and after defaecation without sharing a towel with family members after washing', only 47.2% (rural vs urban: 23.8% vs 59.1%) of the adults were graded to practice proper handwashing behaviour. Urban area, high level of education level, high level of knowledge about diseases, female gender and older age were protective factors for good hand hygiene; of these, area was found to be associated most strongly with handwashing behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to an appropriate handwashing method and duration of handwashing are critical problems among Chinese adults. Area difference, level of education and level of knowledge of hand hygiene were most strongly associated with handwashing behaviour, and should be targeted in future health education.
Authors: Isaac Chun-Hai Fung; Jingxian Cai; Yi Hao; Yuchen Ying; Benedict Shing Bun Chan; Zion Tsz Ho Tse; King-Wa Fu Journal: Western Pac Surveill Response J Date: 2015-07-09
Authors: Xiaona Liu; Zhiguang Zhao; Wanli Hou; Suzanne Polinder; Ed F van Beeck; Zhen Zhang; Yan Zhou; Gang Liu; Xu Xie; Jinquan Cheng; Jan Hendrik Richardus; Vicki Erasmus Journal: PLoS One Date: 2019-05-14 Impact factor: 3.240