Handwashing & absenteeism

Pediatrics for Parents, April, 2002 by John E. Monaco

Healthcare professionals know the key role of proper and frequent handwashing plays in preventing the spread of disease. It appears that it's also important for elementary school students.

Nearly 600 elementary school students were enrolled in the study. Half were taught about the importance of handwashing in preventing the spread of disease. Their classrooms had hand sanitizer solution available for students to use. The students in the control classrooms didn't receive the education nor have the sanitizer available. Over the three month period of the study, the number of absences in the study group were half that of the control group.

This study demonstrates the importance of proper handwashing in the prevention of illness and disease among elementary school children.

American Journal of Infectious Diseases, 6/02.