HAND HYGIENE IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS: THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC EXPERIENCE
Abstract
Hygiene is one of the basic medical sciences that encompasses all aspects and various environmental influences on human health. In the difficult epidemiological situation of recent years (the Covid-19 pandemic), basic hygiene measures again played a crucial role and were a key factor in the successful control of the pandemic. Proper hand hygiene was extremely important in order to control and, most importantly, contain the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Handwashing (and disinfecting) is an important hygiene measure that we all know well, but do not always perform properly, especially when it is necessary. This paper presents the results of a survey of 868 people addressing (1) knowledge about hand hygiene; (2) people’s attitudes towards handwashing and disinfection; and (3) the change in attitudes towards handwashing and disinfection after the pandemic. The results indicate that many have changed their hygiene habits during the pandemic, but that there is a lack of knowledge about handwashing and disinfection. Of particular concern is the proportion of users who still disinfect their hands at home.
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