The Implications of Handwashing and Skin Hygiene on Infectious Disease Dynamics: The African Scenario
Infectious diseases are largely preventable, yet they continue to pose a significant threat to public health, particularly among vulnerable populations in developing countries. Basic hygiene practices, especially hand and skin hygiene, have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of the cross-tr...
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MDPI AG
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Hygiene |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-947X/4/4/36 |
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| author | Olalekan Chris Akinsulie Victor Ayodele Aliyu Ibrahim Idris Samuel Ajulo Oluwagbemisola Olukogbe Chizaram Ukauwa Jesuferanmi Mary Akinsulie |
| author_facet | Olalekan Chris Akinsulie Victor Ayodele Aliyu Ibrahim Idris Samuel Ajulo Oluwagbemisola Olukogbe Chizaram Ukauwa Jesuferanmi Mary Akinsulie |
| author_sort | Olalekan Chris Akinsulie |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Infectious diseases are largely preventable, yet they continue to pose a significant threat to public health, particularly among vulnerable populations in developing countries. Basic hygiene practices, especially hand and skin hygiene, have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of the cross-transmission of infections, including those caused by multi-drug-resistant organisms. In light of the growing global concern about antimicrobial resistance, there is an urgent need to review and reinforce these practices. This study provides a general overview of the role that hand hygiene practices play in decreasing infectious diseases by conducting a comprehensive review. Multiple online databases, including Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science, were searched using relevant keywords such as “hygiene practices”, “infectious diseases”, “public health”, “Africa”, and “sanitation”. After filtering the search results for relevancy, selected studies were narratively synthesized to present the latest data on hand hygiene and its impact on infectious diseases. Strengthening hand and skin hygiene, along with environmental sanitation and preventive measures, can help reduce the spread of nosocomial infections. By emphasizing the importance of these fundamental hygiene practices, particularly in regions where the burden of infectious diseases is highest, the development of antibiotic-resistant diseases can be prevented, improving patient safety, and enhancing public health outcomes. Adopting comprehensive hygiene policies, including regular handwashing, is crucial for reducing the prevalence of infectious diseases and improving health outcomes in developing countries. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8f047ee0a0e144cabae7548b8c00a365 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2673-947X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Hygiene |
| spelling | doaj-art-8f047ee0a0e144cabae7548b8c00a3652025-08-20T02:00:34ZengMDPI AGHygiene2673-947X2024-11-014448349910.3390/hygiene4040036The Implications of Handwashing and Skin Hygiene on Infectious Disease Dynamics: The African ScenarioOlalekan Chris Akinsulie0Victor Ayodele Aliyu1Ibrahim Idris2Samuel Ajulo3Oluwagbemisola Olukogbe4Chizaram Ukauwa5Jesuferanmi Mary Akinsulie6College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USACollege of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163, USAFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto P.M.B. 2346, NigeriaSchool of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, Amarillo, TX 79106, USADepartment of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200005, NigeriaFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Abuja, Abuja P.M.B. 117, NigeriaSchool of Nursing, University College Hospital, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200005, NigeriaInfectious diseases are largely preventable, yet they continue to pose a significant threat to public health, particularly among vulnerable populations in developing countries. Basic hygiene practices, especially hand and skin hygiene, have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of the cross-transmission of infections, including those caused by multi-drug-resistant organisms. In light of the growing global concern about antimicrobial resistance, there is an urgent need to review and reinforce these practices. This study provides a general overview of the role that hand hygiene practices play in decreasing infectious diseases by conducting a comprehensive review. Multiple online databases, including Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science, were searched using relevant keywords such as “hygiene practices”, “infectious diseases”, “public health”, “Africa”, and “sanitation”. After filtering the search results for relevancy, selected studies were narratively synthesized to present the latest data on hand hygiene and its impact on infectious diseases. Strengthening hand and skin hygiene, along with environmental sanitation and preventive measures, can help reduce the spread of nosocomial infections. By emphasizing the importance of these fundamental hygiene practices, particularly in regions where the burden of infectious diseases is highest, the development of antibiotic-resistant diseases can be prevented, improving patient safety, and enhancing public health outcomes. Adopting comprehensive hygiene policies, including regular handwashing, is crucial for reducing the prevalence of infectious diseases and improving health outcomes in developing countries.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-947X/4/4/36hygienehandwashinginfectious disease preventionAfricapublic health |
| spellingShingle | Olalekan Chris Akinsulie Victor Ayodele Aliyu Ibrahim Idris Samuel Ajulo Oluwagbemisola Olukogbe Chizaram Ukauwa Jesuferanmi Mary Akinsulie The Implications of Handwashing and Skin Hygiene on Infectious Disease Dynamics: The African Scenario Hygiene hygiene handwashing infectious disease prevention Africa public health |
| title | The Implications of Handwashing and Skin Hygiene on Infectious Disease Dynamics: The African Scenario |
| title_full | The Implications of Handwashing and Skin Hygiene on Infectious Disease Dynamics: The African Scenario |
| title_fullStr | The Implications of Handwashing and Skin Hygiene on Infectious Disease Dynamics: The African Scenario |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Implications of Handwashing and Skin Hygiene on Infectious Disease Dynamics: The African Scenario |
| title_short | The Implications of Handwashing and Skin Hygiene on Infectious Disease Dynamics: The African Scenario |
| title_sort | implications of handwashing and skin hygiene on infectious disease dynamics the african scenario |
| topic | hygiene handwashing infectious disease prevention Africa public health |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-947X/4/4/36 |
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