SCHOOLCHILDREN’S HAND HYGIENE MICROBIOTA: A PILOT STUDY

Objective: This study aimed to show schoolchildren the variety of microorganisms present before and after hand hygiene, and to make them aware of the transmission and autoinoculation of pathogenic microorganisms. Study design: This study was approved by ethical committee and is part of the "Projeto Experimentando Ciencia." A total of 27 volunteers from 5 different public schools, aged from 11 to 15 years, participated in this study. A microbiota sample was collected using sterile swab and Sabouraud dextrose agar plates before and after hand hygiene orientation (World Health Organization [WHO] technique 1). After 1 week, plates were shown and explained to the participating children. Different materials were used for hand hygiene in each school. Results: A total of 35% used water and paper towels to sanitize the hands; 32% used water, soap and paper towels; 30% used only water; and 3% used soap and water. A larger variety and number of colonies were found before sanitization than after, even in the group that washed hands only with water. Fungi such as Penicillium, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, and nonsporulated types, as well as bacteria, were identified on the samples. One week after the procedure, teachers reported children changed their hand hygiene habits. Conclusion: Visualization of fungi and bacteria culture improved schoolchildren hand hygiene.