Concerns expressed about inadequate hand hygiene amongst caregivers

Research reveals people not using adequate hand washing techniques

Despite apparent increased awareness of the importance of effective hand washing, “adequate techniques” are still not being deployed by caregivers or those receiving care for cancer, according to a recent report on the News From Wales website.

In particular, hand washing around food preparation seems to be particularly lacking, wrote Lisa Baker who quotes the results of recent research carried out by the ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre, which is based at Cardiff Metropolitan University (CMU).

The report focuses on people with a reduced immune function, for whom effective hand washing performs essential infection prevention risk management.

The activities of a hundred participants were observed and food safety issues were noted whereby around 30% didn’t wash or dry properly before handling food, with a worrying 90% failing after handling raw chicken. Well over half failed to deploy appropriate hand washing techniques, with nearly 50% failing to use soap on at least one occasion.

Broadly similar results were obtained in a 2018 study by CMU, Food Safety Knowledge and Self-Reported Food Handling Practices in Cancer Treatment, notes Baker.

Preventing cross-contamination

A Research Fellow at ZERO2FIVE, specialising in food safety behavioural research is quoted in the article. Dr Ellen Evans emphasised the importance of effective washing and drying.

“It is particularly worrying that people may fail to implement adequate hand washing techniques to protect themselves and their families from foodborne illnesses and communicable diseases”.

The study results were released to coincide with Global Handwashing Day 2019, which this year takes place on the 15th October.

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