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03-07-2023 | Influenza | RESEARCH

Association between handwashing and gargling education for children and prevention of respiratory tract infections: a longitudinal Japanese children population-based study

Authors: Kensuke Uraguchi, Toshiharu Mitsuhashi, Naomi Matsumoto, Soshi Takao, Seiichiro Makihara, Mizuo Ando, Takashi Yorifuji

Published in: European Journal of Pediatrics | Issue 9/2023

Abstract

Purpose

A longitudinal study was conducted to examine the effects of handwashing and gargling education for children on the prevention of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in children in Japan.

Methods

The study included 38,554 children born in 2010 who were enrolled in a longitudinal study. Information on children’s hygiene education regarding handwashing and gargling was collected in a survey at the age of 3.5 years. Based on parents' reports of doctors’ diagnoses, airway infections and influenza events in the 12-month duration before the survey were evaluated for RTIs at the ages of 4.5 and 9 years. Poisson regression with robust variance was performed to examine the effects of hygiene education on RTIs prevention. The supplementary analysis was stratified by household income.

Results

Children were categorized into different groups: 38% in the handwashing and gargling group, 29% in the handwashing group, 0.1% in the gargling group, and 9.7% in the no-education group. Exclusions were made for non-respondent children (23%) and those in the gargling group. Hygiene education was associated with decreased influenza at the age of 4.5 years in the handwashing (adjusted RR [aRR] = 0.8; 95% CI, 0.8–0.9) and handwashing and gargling groups (aRR = 0.8; 95% CI, 0.8–0.9) compared with no education. However, no preventive effects on airway infections at the age of 4.5 and 9, influenza at the age of 9, or hospitalization between the ages of 3.5 and 9 years were detected. Handwashing and gargling could significantly prevent influenza in low-income households (aRR = 0.7; 95% CI, 0.6–0.8).

Conclusions: Gargling education was widespread and mostly combined with handwashing education in Japan. Hygiene education significantly affected prevention of influenza infections at the age of 4.5 years, especially in low-income households.

What is Known:

• Previous intervention studies showed handwashing and gargling are effective in preventing respiratory tract infections.

What is New:

• We conducted a longitudinal study on handwashing and gargling education in Japanese children and found that handwashing and gargling were widely practiced together.

• Handwashing and gargling education were related to a reduction in influenza, particularly in low-income households.

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Title: Association between handwashing and gargling education for children and prevention of respiratory tract infections: a longitudinal Japanese children population-based study
Authors: Kensuke Uraguchi
Toshiharu Mitsuhashi
Naomi Matsumoto
Soshi Takao
Seiichiro Makihara
Mizuo Ando
Takashi Yorifuji
Publication date: 03-07-2023
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword: Influenza
Published in: European Journal of Pediatrics / Issue 9/2023
Print ISSN: 0340-6199
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1076
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-023-05062-5

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Association between handwashing and gargling education for children and prevention of respiratory tract infections: a longitudinal Japanese children population-based study

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

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