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Multicenter Study
. 2012 Jun;54(6):434-9.
doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2012.04.009. Epub 2012 Apr 23.

Effectiveness of hand hygiene and provision of information in preventing influenza cases requiring hospitalization

Pere Godoy  1 , Jesús Castilla, Miguel Delgado-Rodríguez, Vicente Martín, Núria Soldevila, Jordi Alonso, Jenaro Astray, Maretva Baricot, Rafael Cantón, Ady Castro, Fernando González-Candelas, José María Mayoral, José María Quintana, Tomás Pumarola, Sonia Tamames, Angela Domínguez; CIBERESP Cases and Controls in Pandemic Influenza Working Group, Spain
Collaborators, Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Effectiveness of hand hygiene and provision of information in preventing influenza cases requiring hospitalization

Pere Godoy et al. Prev Med. 2012 Jun.

Abstract

Background: The objective of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions in preventing cases of influenza requiring hospitalization.

Methods: We performed a multicenter case-control study in 36 hospitals, in 2010 in Spain. Hospitalized influenza cases confirmed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and three matched controls (two hospital and one community control) per case were selected. The use of non-pharmacological measures seven days before the onset of symptoms (frequency of hand washing, use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers and handwashing after touching contaminated surfaces) was collected.

Results: We studied 813 cases hospitalized for influenza and 2274 controls. The frequency of hand washing 5-10 times (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=0.65) and >10 times (aOR=0.59) and handwashing after contact with contaminated surfaces (aOR=0.65) were protective factors and were dose-responsive (p<0.001). Alcohol-based hand sanitizers were associated with marginal benefits (aOR=0.82).

Conclusions: Frequent handwashing should be recommended to prevent influenza cases requiring hospitalization.

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