• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.95-107
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• 2010

Hand-washing is one of the major factors in personal hygiene and public health. This study was undertaken to investigate the hygienic behavior of food-service employees, focusing on awareness of hand washing, hand washing practices, and the load of index microorganisms (aerobic plate count, total and fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus) on the hands of food-service employees. A questionnaire survey completed by direct interview, direct observation of restrooms by the researcher and trained observers, and microbiological examination according to the Food Code of Korea were carried out. In the survey, a positive attitude toward hand washing compliance was reported; however, improper hand washing and poor hand hygiene of the food-service employees were seen under direct observation. Significant differences (p<0.05) were found between the questionnaire survey and the direct observations in hand washing compliance after using the toilet, duration of hand washing, use of hand washing agents, use of hand washing tools, washing of different parts of the hands, hand-drying method, temperature of water, and method of turning off the water. Samples taken from employees' hands before washing showed higher levels of bacteria than those taken during work and/or after washing (p<0.05). Poor hand washing practices were indicated by the positive results for total and fecal coliforms, E. coli, and S. aureus on the hands of some food-service employees. This study showed that there is a marked difference between the food-service employees' awareness of hand-washing and their actual hand-washing practices. The poor hand hygiene of and improper hand washing by the food-service employees should be addressed for improved food safety.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.36-44
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• 2009

Hand-washing has been recognized as a critical factor in controlling infection and cross-contamination. This study was performed to investigate hygienic behavior of male university students focusing on awareness of hand-washing, their hand washing practices, and the difference between their awareness and practices. Both a self-administered questionnaire survey and a separate direct observation in restrooms were carried out at a university campus over a four week period. In the survey, 93.6% of the responded students claimed to wash their hands after using toilet. However, just 16.9% of the observed students actually did so, according to a separate and unnoticed observational study. Among the observed students who washed their hands, 25.0% of them used soap, only 5.0% of them washed four parts of their hands, and 15.0% of them washed their hands for more than 10 seconds. Paper towel was the most common hand drying method in the direct observation and also in the survey. Significant differences between the questionnaire survey and the direct observation (p<0.0l) were found in hand-washing practices, duration of hand-washing, using soap, washing parts of the hand, and hand-drying method after using the toilet. This study indicates that there is a remarkable difference between the male university students' awareness of hand-washing and their hand-washing practices. This study reveals that there is the need for programs or campaigns to increase hand-washing practices of male university students.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.82-88
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• 2013

Objectives : The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the hand washing management and tooth brushing frequency. Methods : The subjects in this study were 7,285 adults who were selected from the third-year(2009) raw data of the fourth national health & nutrition survey. Results : The mean frequency of daily toothbrushing was 3.35. Increases the frequency of both toothbrushing and hand washing with higher grade class. The higher the tooth brushing frequency, the intention of hand washing management at school and home was more increased. Conclusions : This study can contribute to the general health and oral health promotion.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.409-415
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to know the status of management of nosocomial infection and to present basic data for improving management of nosocomial infection. As a result, the average score of the recognition and performance of radiologist on the management of hand washing is 4.378, and 4.199 of 5. The average score of the recognition and performance of radiologist on the management of personal hygiene is 4.284, and 3.990 of 5. The recognition of hand washing management according to the general character, statistically significant difference according to the gender, age, education, career. In the performance is statistically significant difference according to the gender, marriage situation. In the recognition of personal hygiene management according to the general character, statistically significant difference according to the age, education, career. Performance of statistically significant difference according to the marriage situation, career. Finally, statistically significant difference between recognition and performance of radiologists on management of hand washing(r=0.453, p=0.000) and personal hygiene(r=0.415, p=0.000).

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.133-142
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• 2010

This study was performed to investigate awareness of hand washing, hand washing behavior, and the levels of indicator microorganisms on hands of food handlers who work in the food court and cafeteria of a university campus. The three methods used were questionnaire survey by interview, direct observation in restrooms, and microbiological examination according to the Food Code of Korea. A positive attitude toward hand washing compliance was reported by the responded food handlers; however, improper hand washing and poor hand hygiene of the food handlers were recognized by the unnoticed direct observation. Significant differences were found between the questionnaire survey and the direct observation (p < 0.05) in hand washing compliance after using the toilet, duration of hand washing, use of hand washing agent, washing different parts of the hands, hand-drying method, temperature of water, and method of turning off the water. Samples taken from their hands before work showed higher level of standard plate count, total and fecal coliforms, and Escherichia coli than those taken after washing with water. After washing hands with antiseptic liquid soap, the bacterial populations including Staphylococcus aureus on hands were dramatically reduced. This study indicates that there is a remarkable difference between the food handlers' awareness of hand washing and their hand washing behavior. Poor hand washing compliance and hand hygiene were indicated by the positive results of total and fecal coliforms, E. coli, and S. aureus on hands of some food handlers. The findings of this study suggest that the hand hygiene of the food handlers need to be improved. More training/education on hand washing and hand hygiene of the food handlers should be necessary.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.389-397
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• 2010

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of washing machine type (drum or pulsator) on the behavior of clothing management and consumer satisfaction. The data were collected via questionnaires from 408 consumers and were analyzed through factor analysis, ANOVA, Cronbach's Alpha, utilizing SPSS 10.0. The results of this study were as follows: 1) 39.2% of consumers used drum washer and the number of users has increased sharply in five years. Drum washer consumers hold larger capacity washer than pulsator washer consumers. 2) Young people(under 40) showed statistically significant differences in terms of washing concern and the kinds of detergents, while old people(40 and above) showed statistically significant differences in terms of checking the label, preparing the laundry, and hand-washing. Married women showed statistically significant differences in checking the label, preparing the laundry, and hand-washing. 3) In terms of clothing management behavior with the type of washing machine, drum washer consumers showed statistically significant the amount of detergents, while pulsator washer consumers showed statistically significant handwashing and kinds of detergents. 4) In terms of customer satisfaction with the type of washing machine, drum washer consumers showed statistically significant brand satisfaction.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.9 no.12
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• pp.115-122
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• 2018

Dental environments are easily exposed to hospital microorganisms, so the risk of infection among workers is very high. Hand washing is one of the most important and basic way to reduce the risk of infection, as hands are an important medium of infection. Therefore, a convergence study was conducted between hand washing and health belief in orthodontic clinic. Analysis of differences between hand washing and health beliefs showed a significant relationship between importance of hand washing and experience in hand washing education (p=0.010) (p=0.000). Analysis of factors affecting health beliefs showed that the importance of hand washing control (p=0.014) and hands washing education experience (p=0.010) were significantly influencing factors. Infections management education is believed to be highly relevant in establishing a health when increasing interest in dental infections is expected to increase the importance of hand washing, a basic method.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.51-56
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• 2022

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic increased awareness regarding the importance of hand hygiene in infection prevention. Although social distancing and vaccination are the strongest ways to prevent infection, personal hand hygiene is the most basic and easiest way to maintain public health. However, in addition to hand washing using running water, sanitizing tissues, and disinfection products are convenient for hand hygiene, especially outdoors. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the appropriateness of individual hand hygiene methods. In this study, we investigated the degree of hand hygiene offered by various hygiene products and hand drying methods for maintaining hand hygiene. Methods: An LED UV light kit was used for fluorescent observation of hand contamination. Bacteria from the hands were cultured to compare the degree of hand hygiene offered by various hygiene products. Bacteria were cultured in a hand-shaped medium dish to identify areas vulnerable to hand hygiene. Moreover, the degree of hand hygiene was observed according to the drying method using bacterial cultures. Results: We confirmed that hand washing under running water with antibacterial soap, sanitizing with alcohol gel disinfectant, and wiping with antibacterial wet wipes was effective for hand hygiene compared to washing under running water alone. However, for all hygiene products, a large number of bacteria were detected on the fingertips. We verified that natural drying, rather than rubbing, is effective in maintaining hand hygiene. Conclusion: These results suggest that hand hygiene products and drying methods are critical in hand hygiene management. Therefore, these results provide a basis for determining whether an individual's hand hygiene management method is appropriate.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.375-382
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to examine perception, attitude, performance on the hand washing by dental hygienist. A self-reported questionnaire was surveyed by 165 dental hygienist in G area. The data were analyzed for frequency analysis, average, standard deviation, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, pearson's correlation coefficient by using SPSS 21.0 program. The perception on the hand washing, age and work place, career, Number of hand washing, Frequency of hand washing education were higher significantly. The attitude, performance on the hand washing by dental hygienist, age, career, work place were higher significantly. There were positive correlations among the perception, attitude, performance of dental hygienists on the hand washing by dental hygienist. The result of this study indicates a necessity for developing education programs consistently to improve perception, attitude, performance of hand washing by dental hygienist.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.245-254
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate hand washing awareness of females and load of indicator bacteria on their hands. This study focused on the variation according to their age. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire survey and bacterial analysis of indicator bacteria were carried out for 100 Korean women in their age from 20 s to 60 s. Hand samples were collected through a modified glovejuice method. Results: In the survey, significant difference (p < 0.05) was found among the age groups in the use of hand washing agents. The levels of aerobic colony count (ACC) were the highest in both hands among the 20s (p < 0.05). The levels of Escherichia coli were higher in both hands in their 20s and 30s. No significant difference was found in the levels of Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella spp. However, the positive rates of S. aureus (left hand, 37.5~47.1%; right hand, 58.5~62.5%) and Salmonella spp. (left hand, 25.0~52.9%; right hand, 37.5~64.7%) were higher in the hands of the 20s and 30s, and then showed decreasing trend according to increase of age. The effect of hand washing frequency on the ACC level of hands was significant (p < 0.001). Conclusions: These results indicate that there was no remarkable difference of hand hygiene awareness among female age groups. The detection of S. aureus and Salmonella spp. on the hands of some females in each age group revealed poor hand hygiene practices. The significant effect of hand washing frequency on the ACC level suggests that frequent hand washing is helpful to reduce hand contamination.