HYGIENE INTERVENTION FOR CHILD CARE CENTERS

OVERVIEW

An intervention was developed to increase hygienic practices among young children at child care centers.  In an experimental study in which 23 centers were randomly assigned, children attending centers assigned to take part in the intervention were compared with children attending centers that did not receive the intervention on frequency of colds and on absenteeism due to colds.  Among children 24 months of age and younger, children from treatment centers had significantly fewer colds than did children from control centers.  This difference did not exist among children older than 24 months of age, however.  Children from treatment centers did not have a lower rate of absenteeism due to colds than did children from control centers.   

DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM

Target population: pre-school children in child care

This intervention sought to decrease upper respiratory infections in young children by increasing hygiene at child care centers.  Center staff were trained in accordance with recommended handwashing techniques as outlined by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council.  Staff taught handwashing to children and performed handwashes for infants too young to be able to wash their own hands.  Techniques such as singing songs about handwashing were employed to help children understand the importance of washing their hands.  Additionally, techniques pertaining to nose-wiping were covered. 

EVALUATION(S) OF PROGRAM

Roberts, L., Smith, W., Jorm, L., Patel, M., Douglas, R. M., & McGilchrist, C.  (2000).  Effect of Infection Control Measures on the Frequency of Upper Respiratory Infection in Child Care: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.  Pediatrics, 105, 738-742.

Evaluated population: 558 children from 23 licensed child care centers in the Australian Capital Territory constituted the study sample for this investigation.  All children were age three or younger, attended child care at least three days a week, and had no chronic illnesses that predisposed them to infection.

Approach: Child care centers were randomly assigned to either the treatment condition (11 centers) or the control condition (12 centers).  Staff from centers assigned to the treatment condition received three hours of training in hygiene.  Staff who were unable to attend the initial training session at their center were provided with opportunities to train elsewhere.  Training was reinforced every two weeks through newsletters and trainer visits.  Staff from centers assigned to the control condition received no training.

For over six months, parents of children in the study were called every two weeks and were asked to report of symptoms of illness in their children. 

Results: Among children 24 months of age and younger, children from treatment centers had significantly fewer colds than did children from control centers.  This difference did not exist among children older than 24 months of age, however.  Children from treatment centers did not have a lower rate of absenteeism due to colds than did children from control centers.   

SOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION

References:

Roberts, L., Smith, W., Jorm, L., Patel, M., Douglas, R. M., & McGilchrist, C.  (2000).  Effect of Infection Control Measures on the Frequency of Upper Respiratory Infection in Child Care: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.  Pediatrics, 105, 738-742.

Program categorized in this guide according to the following:

Evaluated participant ages: 0-3

Evaluated participant grades: n/a

Program age ranges in the guide: Early Childhood

Program components: Child Care/Early Childhood Education

Measured outcomes: Physical Health

Program information last updated 7/24/07