Effect of handrubbing using locally-manufactured alcohol-based handrubs in paediatric wards in Harare, Zimbabwe. Issue 1 (December 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gudza-Mugabe, Muchaneta; Magwenzi, Marcelyn; Mujuru, Hilda; Bwakura-Dangarembizi, Mutsa; Robertson, Valerie; Aiken, Alexander
• Is Part Of: Antimicrobial resistance & infection control. Volume 6:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 4
• Publication Date: 2017-12
• Subjects: Hand hygiene -- Contamination -- Gram negative bacteria -- Nosocomial infection -- Paediatric -- Alcohol-based hand rub; Infection -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Drug resistance -- Periodicals; Drug Resistance, Microbial -- Periodicals; 616.9041
• DOI: 10.1186/s13756-016-0166-8
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2047-2994

Abstract

Abstract We assessed bacterial contamination of hands of adults present in paediatric wards in two tertiary-care hospitals in Harare, Zimbabwe and the microbiologic efficacy of locally-manufactured alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR). During unannounced visits, samples were collected using hand-print and hand-rinse methods. Samples were collected from 152 individuals (16 nurses, 10 doctors, 28 students, 86 parents/guardians, 12 others). Contamination of hands with Gram-negative bacteria was found in 91% of adults tested with a mean of 14.6 CFU (hand-rinse method; IQR 3–65), representing a high risk for transmission of pathogens potentially leading to nosocomial infections. A single application of ABHR under controlled conditions achieved an average of 82% (or 0.72 log) reduction in detectable counts. Amongst 49Enterobacteriaceae isolates from hands, 53% were resistant to gentamicin and 63% were resistant to cefpodoxime. Use of ABHR represents an attractive intervention for reducing nosocomial infections in this setting.