Pascale Hancart-Petitet, of the Institut Pasteur du Cambodge in Phnom Penh Cambodia, and colleagues, say that the frequency of bloodborne pathogen-related healthcare-associated infections is thought to be high in developing Southeast Asian countries but that the underlying social-cultural logics contributing to the risks of transmission are rarely studied. The researchers provide some insights on the social and cultural factors that shape hygiene practices in Cambodian healthcare settings in BMC Public Health.
Hancart-Petitet, et al. conducted qualitative surveys in various public and private health facilities in Phnom Penh and in provinces. They observed and interviewed 319 participants, healthcare workers and patients, regarding hygiene practices and social relationships among the healthcare staff and with patients. They also examined the local perceptions of hygiene, their impact on the relationships between the healthcare staff and patients, and perceptions of transmission risks. Data collection stem from face to face semi-structured and open-ended interviews and focus group discussions with various healthcare staffs (i.e., environmental services staff, known as "cleaners," nurses, midwives and medical doctors) and with patients who attended the study health facilities.
The researchers report that overall responses and observations indicated that hygiene practices were burdened by the lack of adequate materials and equipment. In addition, many other factors were identified to influence and distort hygiene practices which include informal and formal social rapports in hospitals, and major infection control roles played by the cleaners in absence of professional acknowledgment. Moreover, hygiene practices are commonly seen as an unessential matter to be devoted to low-ranking staff.
Reference: Hancart-Petitet P, Dumas C, Faurand-Tournaire AL, Desclaux A and Vong S. Social and cultural dimensions of hygiene in Cambodian health care facilities. BMC Public Health 2011, 11:83doi:10.1186/1471-2458-11-83.
Social and Cultural Factors Impact Hygiene in Healthcare Facilities
Pascale Hancart-Petitet, of the Institut Pasteur du Cambodge in Phnom Penh Cambodia, and colleagues, say that the frequency of bloodborne pathogen-related healthcare-associated infections is thought to be high in developing Southeast Asian countries but that the underlying social-cultural logics contributing to the risks of transmission are rarely studied. The researchers provide some insights on the social and cultural factors that shape hygiene practices in Cambodian healthcare settings in BMC Public Health.
Hancart-Petitet, et al. conducted qualitative surveys in various public and private health facilities in Phnom Penh and in provinces. They observed and interviewed 319 participants, healthcare workers and patients, regarding hygiene practices and social relationships among the healthcare staff and with patients. They also examined the local perceptions of hygiene, their impact on the relationships between the healthcare staff and patients, and perceptions of transmission risks. Data collection stem from face to face semi-structured and open-ended interviews and focus group discussions with various healthcare staffs (i.e., environmental services staff, known as "cleaners," nurses, midwives and medical doctors) and with patients who attended the study health facilities.
The researchers report that overall responses and observations indicated that hygiene practices were burdened by the lack of adequate materials and equipment. In addition, many other factors were identified to influence and distort hygiene practices which include informal and formal social rapports in hospitals, and major infection control roles played by the cleaners in absence of professional acknowledgment. Moreover, hygiene practices are commonly seen as an unessential matter to be devoted to low-ranking staff.
Reference: Hancart-Petitet P, Dumas C, Faurand-Tournaire AL, Desclaux A and Vong S. Social and cultural dimensions of hygiene in Cambodian health care facilities. BMC Public Health 2011, 11:83doi:10.1186/1471-2458-11-83.
AHE Exchange Conference & Solution Center 2023 Review
Weekly Rounds: Educator of the Year Award, Long COVID, Norovirus, and More
Infection Control Today's Educator of the Year Award Nomination Form
Infection Control Today's Educator of the Year Award
Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) Bioluminescence Testing and Performance
Hot Topics in IPC Today: COVID-19 Cases, a New Variant, UV-C Disinfection, and More
AHE Exchange Conference & Solution Center 2023 Review
Weekly Rounds: Educator of the Year Award, Long COVID, Norovirus, and More
Infection Control Today's Educator of the Year Award Nomination Form
Infection Control Today's Educator of the Year Award
Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) Bioluminescence Testing and Performance
Hot Topics in IPC Today: COVID-19 Cases, a New Variant, UV-C Disinfection, and More
AHE Exchange Conference & Solution Center 2023 Review
Weekly Rounds: Educator of the Year Award, Long COVID, Norovirus, and More
Infection Control Today's Educator of the Year Award Nomination Form
Infection Control Today's Educator of the Year Award
Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) Bioluminescence Testing and Performance
Hot Topics in IPC Today: COVID-19 Cases, a New Variant, UV-C Disinfection, and More
AHE Exchange Conference & Solution Center 2023 Review
September 14th 2023Health care environmental professionals met in Dallas, Texas, from July 31 to August 2, 2023, at the AHE Exchange Conference & Solution Center. Infection Control Today® asked Rock Jensen, AHE advisory board chair and administrative director of support services for Yuma Regional Medical Center in Arizona, about AHE’s areas of emphasis for leadership in environmental services (EVS).
Weekly Rounds: Educator of the Year Award, Long COVID, Norovirus, and More
September 8th 2023Take 5 minutes to catch up on Infection Control Today®’s highlights for the week ending September 10, 2023.
Infection Control Today's Educator of the Year Award Nomination Form
September 5th 2023Here you will see where to nominate an exceptional infection control and prevention educator for the Infection Control Today®’s Educator of the Year Award™.
Infection Control Today's Educator of the Year Award
September 5th 2023Infection Control Today® is honored to announce it is reviving the Infection Control Today’s Educator of the Year Award™. For more information, please listen to Linda Spaulding, RN, CIC, the 2003 Winner of the Infection Control Today’s Educator of the Year Award.
Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) Bioluminescence Testing and Performance
September 4th 2023In 2003, the CDC recommended hospitals to clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces. Later, they advised hospitals to closely supervise cleaning procedures near patients. This article explains what IPC personnel need to know about ATP testing.
Hot Topics in IPC Today: COVID-19 Cases, a New Variant, UV-C Disinfection, and More
September 1st 2023In this Hot Topics in IPC, Saskia v. Popescu, PhD, MPH, MA, CIC, gives her expert outlook on the latest on COVID-19, UV-C, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and more.