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Hygiene Practices (hygiene + practice)
Kinds of Hygiene Practices Selected AbstractsAn updated review of Listeria monocytogenes in the pork meat industry and its productsJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2006D. Thévenot Abstract Pork meat and processed pork products have been the sources of outbreaks of listeriosis in France and in other European countries during the last decade. The aim of this review is to understand how contamination, survival and growth of Listeria monocytogenes can occur in pork meat products. This study discusses the presence of L. monocytogenes in raw pork meat, in the processing environment and in finished products. The prevalence of L. monocytogenes generally increases from the farm to the manufacturing plants and this mainly due to cross-contamination. In many cases, this pathogen is present in raw pork meat at low or moderate levels, but foods involved in listeriosis outbreaks are those in which the organism has multiplied to reach levels significantly higher than 1000 CFU g,1. In such cases, L. monocytogenes has been able to survive and/or to grow despite the hurdles encountered during the manufacturing and conservation processes. Accordingly, attention must be paid to the design of food-processing equipment and to the effectiveness of the cleaning and disinfecting procedures in factories. Finally, the production of safe pork meat products is based on the implementation of general preventive measures such as Good Hygiene Practices, Good Manufacturing and the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point. [source] Pro-inflammatory biomarkers during experimental gingivitis in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus: a proof-of-concept studyJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Giovanni E. Salvi Abstract Aim: To compare gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) biomarker levels and microbial distribution in plaque biofilm (SP) samples for subjects with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) versus healthy subjects without diabetes during experimental gingivitis (EG). Materials and Methods: A total of nine T1DM patients and nine healthy controls of age and gender similar to the T1DM patients were monitored for 35 days during EG. Hygiene practices were stopped for 3 weeks, and GCF, SP, plaque index (PI) and gingival index were determined. IL-1,, IL-8, MMP-8 and MMP-9 were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and SP samples were assessed by DNA,DNA hybridization for a panel of 40 subgingival microbial species. Results: IL-1, levels in T1DM patients were elevated compared with healthy individuals, and showed differences between groups at 7,21 days while healthy patients showed IL-1, increases from baseline to 14,21 days (p<0.05). Differences were observed in MMP-9 levels between patients with and without T1DM at 7,14 days (p<0.05). Orange complex species and PI measurements displayed a superior correlation with biomarker levels when compared with other complexes or clinical measurements during EG. Conclusions: The mean GCF biomarker levels for IL-1, and MMP-8 were most significantly elevated in T1DM subjects compared with healthy individuals during EG, not resulting from differences in the mean PI or microbial composition. [source] A pilot study of research utilization practices and critical thinking dispositions of Alberta dental hygienistsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DENTAL HYGIENE, Issue 3 2008SJ Cobban Abstract:, In order to test interventions for increasing uptake of research findings into dental hygiene practice, we must first identify factors that influence research use. There has been little work on this topic in dental hygiene, but much in other disciplines that can provide exemplars of how others have approached the study of this phenomenon. Objectives:, A pilot study was conducted to determine if protocols used to study research utilization (RU) behaviours and critical thinking dispositions (CTD) in nursing could also be applied to dental hygiene. Methods:, A cross-sectional survey design was used with a random sample of 640 practicing dental hygienists in Alberta, Canada. Three questionnaires were included: one to capture measures of RU including direct, indirect and symbolic RU; the California Critical Thinking Dispositions Inventory (CCTDI) and a demographics questionnaire. Results:, Mean responses for the three types of RU were highest for indirect at 3.52 (SD 0.720), followed by direct at 3.13 (SD 0.903) and symbolic 2.86 (SD 0.959). The majority (74.8%) scored between 280 and 350 on the CCTDI (maximum 420). Cronbach's alpha reliability for the RU measures and four of the seven sub-scales were over .7, indicating internal consistency reliability. Conclusions:, The instruments proved reliable for this population, but other challenges, including a low response rate, were identified during the process of using the RU questionnaire in the context of dental hygiene practice. Pilot testing identified the need for improvements to the presentation of scales to reduce cognitive load and improve the response rate. [source] Evidence-based practice and the professionalization of dental hygieneINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DENTAL HYGIENE, Issue 4 2004Sandra J Cobban Abstract: The application of knowledge is fundamental to human problem solving. In health disciplines, knowledge utilization commonly manifests through evidence-based decision making in practice. The purpose of this paper is to explore the development of the evidence-based practice (EBP) movement in health professions in general, and dental hygiene in particular, and to examine its relationship to the professionalization agenda of dental hygiene in Canada. EBP means integrating practitioner expertise with the best available external evidence from research. Proponents of EBP believe that it holds promise for reducing a research,practice gap by encouraging clinicians to seek current research results. Both the Canadian and American Dental Hygienists Associations support practice based on current research evidence, yet recent studies show variation in practice. Professionalization refers to the developmental stages through which an organized occupation passes as it develops traits that characterize it as a profession. The status conferred by professionalization privileges a group to make and monitor its own decisions relative to practice. Dental hygiene's success in acquiring attributes of a profession suggests that transformation to a profession is occurring. This paper compares the assumptions and challenges of both movements, and argues the need for a principal focus on the development of a culture of evidence-based dental hygiene practice. [source] Implementation of oral health recommendations into two residential aged care facilities in a regional Australian cityINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EVIDENCE BASED HEALTHCARE, Issue 3 2006Tony Fallon BAppSc(Hons) PhD Abstract Background, Residents of aged care facilities usually have a large number of oral health problems. Residents who suffer from dementia are at particular risk. A systematic review of the best available evidence with regard to maintaining the oral health of older people with dementia in residential aged care facilities provided a number of recommendations. Objectives, The aim of the implementation project was to introduce evidence-based oral hygiene practices for patients with dementia in two publicly funded residential aged care facilities and monitor for changes in nursing awareness, knowledge, documentation and practice to improve patient outcomes and ensure appropriate accreditation standards were met. An additional aim was to identify barriers and strategies to overcome barriers to implementation of evidence-based recommendations. Methods, Two facilities, a 40-bed facility and a 71-bed facility in the health service district of the regional Australian city of Toowoomba, provided the setting. A quality improvement approach was taken, using a number of strategies from the National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines for implementation studies. The implementation involved a number of stages, including project development, interactive oral health education, oral audits of residents, changes to oral hygiene practice via care plans and critical reflection. Results, The multidisciplinary approach to improving oral healthcare appeared to improve knowledge and awareness and move oral health practices in facilities closer to best practice. Specialised training in oral health was provided to a Clinical Nurse Consultant. Regular oral audits were introduced and facility staff were trained in the use of the oral audit tool. Care plans at one facility were of better quality and more comprehensive than before the intervention. Comments made during critical reflection suggested improvements in the oral health of residents, increased use of oral swabs and saliva substitutes, improved care of dentures and mention of the use of mouth props in resident care plans. There was also some evidence that changes brought about by the implementation are sustainable. Conclusion, The majority of recommendations provided in the systematic review of oral healthcare for dementia patients were applicable to the applied context. The importance of day-to-day leaders was highlighted by the apparently varied outcomes across target facilities. The quality improvement approach would appear to have considerable advantages when applied to improving practice in residential aged care. [source] Attitudes of the Victorian oral health workforce to the employment and scope of practice of dental hygienistsAUSTRALIAN DENTAL JOURNAL, Issue 1 2008M Hopcraft Abstract Background: Increasing the number of dental hygienists and expanding their scope of practice are two policy directions that are currently being explored to increase the supply of dental services in the context of projected oral health workforce shortages in Australia. Understanding factors relating to the employment of hygienists and the attitudes of the oral health workforce to dental hygiene practice are important in this policy debate. Methods: A postal survey of a random sample of Victorian dentists, periodontists, orthodontists and hygienists was undertaken in 2006. Dentists and specialists were grouped into those whose practice employed or did not employ a hygienist. Data on the attitudes of dentists, specialists and hygienists towards various aspects of dental hygiene practice were explored. Results: A response rate of 65.3 per cent was achieved. Hygienists believed that their employment made dental care more affordable (53.7 per cent) and improved access to dental care (88.1 per cent), while few dentists believed hygienists made care more affordable. Most hygienists believed they were capable of diagnosing periodontal disease and dental caries and formulating a treatment plan, but there was less support from employers and non-employers. Dentists were strongly opposed to independent practice for dental hygienists, although there was qualified support from employers for increasing the scope of practice for hygienists. Conclusions: Dentists who worked with hygienists acknowledged their contribution to increasing practice profitability, efficiency and accessibility of dental services to patients. Hygienists and employers supported increasing the scope of dental hygiene practice, however the majority of non-employers opposed any expansion. [source] Sleep hygiene in adult epilepsy patients:a questionnaire-based surveyACTA NEUROLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 5 2000R. Manni Two hundred and seventy epilepsy patients referred to the Epilepsy Centre of the "C. Mondino" Institute of Neurology and 230 healthy subjects comparable for age, sex and education completed a sleep questionnaire of 112 multiple choice questions including those that concern sleep hygiene practice. The percentage of subjects with habitually inappropriate sleep hygiene habits was significantly higher in controls than in epilepsy patients for 7 out of the 9 sleep hygiene practices considered (P at chi square less than 0.05). No significant relationship between kind and/or severity of epilepsy and the degree of sleep hygiene practice was found. The data show that sleep hygiene practice is more adequate in epilepsy than in control subjects. It is possible that the appropriate sleep hygiene practice of epilepsy patients derives from the fact that they habitually refrain from a lot of practices which possibly aggravate both the course of epilepsy and seizure-related complications. [source] Too clean, or not too clean: the Hygiene Hypothesis and home hygieneCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL ALLERGY, Issue 4 2006S. F. Bloomfield Summary The ,hygiene hypothesis' as originally formulated by Strachan, proposes that a cause of the recent rapid rise in atopic disorders could be a lower incidence of infection in early childhood, transmitted by unhygienic contact with older siblings. Use of the term ,hygiene hypothesis' has led to several interpretations, some of which are not supported by a broader survey of the evidence. The increase in allergic disorders does not correlate with the decrease in infection with pathogenic organisms, nor can it be explained by changes in domestic hygiene. A consensus is beginning to develop round the view that more fundamental changes in lifestyle have led to decreased exposure to certain microbial or other species, such as helminths, that are important for the development of immunoregulatory mechanisms. Although this review concludes that the relationship of the hypothesis to hygiene practice is not proven, it lends strong support to initiatives seeking to improve hygiene practice. It would however be helpful if the hypothesis were renamed, e.g. as the ,microbial exposure' hypothesis, or ,microbial deprivation' hypothesis, as proposed for instance by Bjorksten. Avoiding the term ,hygiene' would help focus attention on determining the true impact of microbes on atopic diseases, while minimizing risks of discouraging good hygiene practice. [source] Oral hygiene practices, periodontal conditions, dentition status and self-reported bad mouth breath among young mothers, TanzaniaINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DENTAL HYGIENE, Issue 4 2006EGS Mumghamba Abstract:,Objectives:,To determine the oral hygiene practices, periodontal conditions, dentition status and self-reported bad mouth breath (S-BMB) among young mothers. Study participants and methods:,This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted at Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A total of 302 postpartum mothers, aged 14,44 years, were interviewed on oral hygiene practices and S-BMB using structured questionnaire. Oral hygiene, dentition and periodontal status were assessed using the Community Periodontal Index probe and gingival recessions (GR) using Williams Periodontal probe. Results:,Tooth brushing practice was 99%; tongue brushing (95%), plastic toothbrush users (96%), chewing stick (1%), wooden toothpicks (76%), dental floss (<1%); and toothpaste (93%). The prevalence of plaque and gingival bleeding on probing was 100%, gum bleeding during tooth brushing (33%), calculus (99%), probing periodontal pocket depth (PPD) 4,5 mm (27%), PPD 6+ mm (3%), GR 1+ mm (27%) and tooth decay (55%). The prevalence of S-BMB was 14%; the S-BMB had higher mean number of sites with plaque compared to the no S-BMB group (P = 0.04). Factors associated with S-BMB were gum bleeding on tooth brushing (OR = 2.4) and PPD 6+ mm (OR = 5.4). Conclusion:,Self-reported bad mouth breath is a cause of concern among young mothers, and associated significant factors were gum bleeding on tooth brushing and deep periodontal pockets of 6+ mm. Further research involving clinical diagnosis of bad mouth breath and intervention through oral health promotion and periodontal therapy are recommended. Clinical relevance:,This study provides baseline information on oral health status and the complaint on bad mouth breath which necessitates in the future need for objective assessment, diagnosis and management of bad mouth breath for enhanced social and professional interaction without embarrassments. [source] Implementation of oral health recommendations into two residential aged care facilities in a regional Australian cityINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EVIDENCE BASED HEALTHCARE, Issue 3 2006Tony Fallon BAppSc(Hons) PhD Abstract Background, Residents of aged care facilities usually have a large number of oral health problems. Residents who suffer from dementia are at particular risk. A systematic review of the best available evidence with regard to maintaining the oral health of older people with dementia in residential aged care facilities provided a number of recommendations. Objectives, The aim of the implementation project was to introduce evidence-based oral hygiene practices for patients with dementia in two publicly funded residential aged care facilities and monitor for changes in nursing awareness, knowledge, documentation and practice to improve patient outcomes and ensure appropriate accreditation standards were met. An additional aim was to identify barriers and strategies to overcome barriers to implementation of evidence-based recommendations. Methods, Two facilities, a 40-bed facility and a 71-bed facility in the health service district of the regional Australian city of Toowoomba, provided the setting. A quality improvement approach was taken, using a number of strategies from the National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines for implementation studies. The implementation involved a number of stages, including project development, interactive oral health education, oral audits of residents, changes to oral hygiene practice via care plans and critical reflection. Results, The multidisciplinary approach to improving oral healthcare appeared to improve knowledge and awareness and move oral health practices in facilities closer to best practice. Specialised training in oral health was provided to a Clinical Nurse Consultant. Regular oral audits were introduced and facility staff were trained in the use of the oral audit tool. Care plans at one facility were of better quality and more comprehensive than before the intervention. Comments made during critical reflection suggested improvements in the oral health of residents, increased use of oral swabs and saliva substitutes, improved care of dentures and mention of the use of mouth props in resident care plans. There was also some evidence that changes brought about by the implementation are sustainable. Conclusion, The majority of recommendations provided in the systematic review of oral healthcare for dementia patients were applicable to the applied context. The importance of day-to-day leaders was highlighted by the apparently varied outcomes across target facilities. The quality improvement approach would appear to have considerable advantages when applied to improving practice in residential aged care. [source] Effects of 0.2% chlorhexidine spray applied once or twice daily on plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation in a geriatric populationJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 9 2003Javier Clavero Abstract Background/aims: Chlorhexidine (CHX) spray has proven to be an easily applicable method for the chemical control of plaque in elderly and handicapped patients. A randomized double-blind cross-over placebo-controlled trial was undertaken to compare the effects of 0.2% CHX spray applied once or twice daily on the plaque and gingival indexes in 13 institutionalized elderly patients. Method: The study subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups. During the first 30-day period, one group received 0.2% chlorhexidine spray twice daily and the other received 0.2% CHX spray once daily plus placebo spray once daily. A washout period of 42 days then followed, after which the groups were interchanged and the process was repeated for another 30-day period. Plaque index and gingival index were determined at the beginning and end of each period. The patients continued with their usual oral hygiene practices throughout the study. Results: A significant reduction in plaque and gingival indexes was produced in both the groups. There were no significant differences in index scores between the groups. Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest that a single-daily application of 0.2% CHX spray is equally as effective in reducing plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation in institutionalized elderly patients as are two-daily applications of the same spray. Zusammenfassung Grundlagen/Ziele: Es hat sich herausgestellt, dass Chlorhexidinspray eine leicht zu handhabende Methode der chemischen Plaquekontrolle bei älteren und behinderten Patienten ist. Um die Unterschiede zwischen ein- oder zweimaliger Applikation von 0.2%-Chlorhexidinspray auf die Plaque- und Gingiva-Indizes zu vergleichen wurde an 13 institutionalisierten älteren Patienten eine randomisierte Plazebo-kontrolierte Crossover-Studie unternommen. Methode: Die Studienteilnehmer wurden randomisiert einer von zwei Gruppen zugeteilt. Während der ersten 30-Tageperiode erhielt eine Gruppe zweimal täglich 0.2%-Chlorhexidinspray und die andere Gruppe einmal täglich 0.2%-Chlorhexidinspray und einmal täglich einen Plazebo-Spray. Es folgte eine Auswaschperiode von 42 Tagen, nach der die Gruppen vertauscht wurden und der Prozess für weitere 30 tage wiederholt wurde. Zu Beginn und am ende einer jeden Periode wurden Plaque-Index (PI) und Gingival-Index (GI) bestimmt. Während der ganzen Studienperiode praktizierten die Patienten ihre üblichen Mundhygienemaßnahmen. Ergebnisse: In beiden Gruppen ergab sich eine signifikante Reduktion der Plaque- und Gingiva-Indizes. Zwischen den beiden Gruppen gab es keine signifikanten Unterschiede der Indexwerte. Schlussfolgerungen: Die Ergebnisse der vorliegenden Studie lassen annehmen, dass bei institutionalisierten älteren Patienten eine einzige Applikation pro Tag von 0.2%-Chlorhexidinspray bei der Reduktion der Plaqueakkumulation sowie der Gingivaentzündung genauso effektiv ist, wie die täglich zweimalige Applikation des gleichen Sprays. Résumé Le spray de chlorhexidine (CHX) a prouvé sa facilité d'application pour le contrôle chimique de la plaque dentaire chez les patients âgés et handicapés. Un essai clinique contrôlé, croisé, en double aveugle, randomisé et placebo-contrôle a été entrepris pour comparer les effets d'un spray de CHX 0.2% appliqué une ou deux fois par jour sur la plaque dentaire et les indices gingivaux de patients âgés de douze institutions. Les sujets ont été répartis en deux groupes. Durant une première période de 30 jours, un groupe recevait un spray de CHX 0.2% deux fois par jour tandis que l'autre recevait un spray de CHX 0.2% un fois par jour plus un spray placebo une fois par jour. Une période sans traitement de 42 jours a ensuite étéétablie suivie à la suite de laquelle les groupes ont été interchangés et le processus répété pour une nouvelle période de 30 jours. L'indice de plaque dentaire et l'indice gingival ont été déterminés au début et à la fin de chaque période. Les patients ont continué leurs habitudes d'hygiène buccale habituelles durant toute l'étude. Une réduction significative des indices de plaque et de gencive ont été relevés dans les deux groupes. Il n'y avait aucune différence significative de scores entre les deux groupes. Les résultats de l'étude présente suggèrent qu'une application unique d'un spray de CHX 0.2% est tout aussi efficace dans la réduction de la plaque dentaire et l'inflammation gingivale chez les patients âgés qu'une double application du même spray. [source] Effect of toothpaste on the plaque inhibitory properties of a cetylpyridinium chloride mouth rinseJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PERIODONTOLOGY, Issue 3 2003S. Sheen Abstract Background and aims: Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) mouth rinses have moderate plaque inhibitory activity when used alone but rarely have shown adjunctive benefits to tooth brushing with toothpaste. Several explanations for this apparent anomaly can be proferred, including loss of antiseptic activity due to interactions with toothpaste ingredients. The aim of this study was to measure the effect of toothpaste on the plaque inhibitory properties of a CPC mouth rinse using paired rinses of CPC, toothpaste slurry (TP) and water (W). Methods: The study was a single blind, randomised, seven-treatment, cross over design balanced for residual effects, involving 21 healthy, dentate subjects. The paired rinses were: W-CPC, CPC-W, TP-CPC, CPC-TP, W-TP, TP-W and W-W. Rinsing with solutions or slurries was done for 60 s twice per day. On day 1, subjects were rendered plaque free, suspended tooth cleaning and commenced the allocated rinse regimen. On day 5, plaque was scored by index. A 2½ day wash out of normal oral hygiene was allowed between each regimen. Results: The order from lowest to highest plaque scores was as follows: W-CPC = CPC-W < CPC-TP < TP-CPC , W-TP < TP-W < W-W. Several differences in pairs of treatments were statistically significant, the most relevant of which were significantly less plaque with W-CPC compared to TP-CPC, TP-W and W-TP, and significantly more plaque with W-W compared to all other regimens except TP-W. Conclusions: Toothpaste, whilst possessing some plaque inhibitory activity, when used immediately before a CPC mouth rinse adversely affected the plaque inhibitory action of this antiseptic. This in part may explain the reported lack of adjunctive benefits of CPC rinses to normal oral hygiene practices and supports the suggestion, made for chlorhexidine rinses, that their use should follow toothpaste by at least 60 min. Zusammenfassung Die Wirkung von Zahnpasta auf die plaquehemmenden Eigenschaften einer Mundspüllösung mit Cetylpyridinium-Chlorid Grundlagen und Ziel: Cetylpyridinium-Chlorid (CPC) Mundspüllösung haben, wenn sie alleine verwendet werden, eine moderate plaquehemmende Aktivität. Es wurde jedoch selten gezeigt, dass sie zusätzlich zum Zähneputzen Vorteile haben. Mehrere Erklärungen für diese offensichtliche Anomalie können angeboten werden, einschließlich des Verlusts der antiseptischen Aktivität wegen einer Interaktion mit Inhaltstoffen der Zahnpasta. Ziel dieser Studie war es, die Wirkung der Zahnpasta auf die plaquehemmenden Eigenschaften einer CPC-Mundspüllösung zumessen. Es wurde CPC zusammen mit Zahnpasta-Lösung (TP) oder zusammen mit Wasser (W) verwendet. Methoden: Die randomisierte, einfach-blinde-Studie hatte ein 7-Behandlungs- Crossover-Design und war ausgeglichen hinsichtlich der Resteffekte. Einundzwanzig gesunde und bezahnte Personen wurden aufgenommen. Die paarweisen Spülungen waren: W-CPC, CPC-W, TP-CPC, CPC-TP, W-TP, TP-W und W-W. Die Spülungen wurden zweimal pro Tag für 60 Sekunden durchgeführt. An Tag-1 wurde bei der Teilnehmern Plaquefreiheit hergestellt, sie enthielten sich der Mundhygiene und begannen die zugewiesenen Spülungen. An Tag-5 wurde die Plaque mittels Index beurteilt. Zwischen den Spülmaßnahmen war eine 2,5-tägige Auswaschperiode mit normaler Mundhygiene erlaubt. Ergebnisse: Die Reihenfolge vom niedrigsten zum höchsten Plaquewert war W-CPC = CPC-W < CPC-TP < TP-CPC [source] Child Care and Work Absences: Trade-Offs by Type of CareJOURNAL OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY, Issue 1 2008Rachel A. Gordon Parents face a trade-off in the effect of child-care problems on employment. Whereas large settings may increase problems because of child illness, small group care may relate to provider unavailability. Analyzing the NICHD Study of Early Child Care, we find that child-care centers and large family day care lead to mothers' greater work absences because of a sick child, but not to maternal job exits. Greater work absences because of unavailability of small home-based providers are associated with mothers' job exits, especially when mothers have low earnings and use nonrelative caregivers. Our findings accentuate the need for improved hygiene practices in child care, expanded personal leave coverage for parents, and greater backup care for sick and well children. [source] Variations in sleep hygiene practices of women with and without insomnia,RESEARCH IN NURSING & HEALTH, Issue 4 2004Rita E. Cheek Abstract Sleep hygiene education is a basic component of behavioral treatment for chronic insomnia, yet the actual sleep hygiene practices of people with insomnia have not been well documented. In this descriptive secondary analysis, midlife women ages 41,55 years with either chronic insomnia (n,=,92) or good sleep (n,=,29) kept diaries of sleep perceptions and sleep hygiene practices during 6 nights of somnographic monitoring at home. In both groups few reported smoking cigarettes (<10%), most drank caffeine (>80%), and many averaged 30 min of exercise per day (,50%). Very few in either group (<10%) had regular (<30 min variation) bedtimes or getting-up times. Compared to women with good sleep, those with insomnia reported drinking less caffeine per day, being more abstinent from alcohol, and having smaller variations in day-to-day alcohol intake and bedtimes. Although some women with insomnia limit or refrain from caffeine and alcohol intake, many have not optimized behaviors believed to help prevent or modulate insomnia. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 27:225,236, 2004 [source] Sleep hygiene in adult epilepsy patients:a questionnaire-based surveyACTA NEUROLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 5 2000R. Manni Two hundred and seventy epilepsy patients referred to the Epilepsy Centre of the "C. Mondino" Institute of Neurology and 230 healthy subjects comparable for age, sex and education completed a sleep questionnaire of 112 multiple choice questions including those that concern sleep hygiene practice. The percentage of subjects with habitually inappropriate sleep hygiene habits was significantly higher in controls than in epilepsy patients for 7 out of the 9 sleep hygiene practices considered (P at chi square less than 0.05). No significant relationship between kind and/or severity of epilepsy and the degree of sleep hygiene practice was found. The data show that sleep hygiene practice is more adequate in epilepsy than in control subjects. It is possible that the appropriate sleep hygiene practice of epilepsy patients derives from the fact that they habitually refrain from a lot of practices which possibly aggravate both the course of epilepsy and seizure-related complications. [source] Hygiene interventions for prevention of cytomegalovirus infection among childbearing women: systematic reviewCHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 1 2009Richard Reading Hygiene interventions for prevention of cytomegalovirus infection among childbearing women: systematic review . HarveyJ. & DennisC.-L. ( 2008 ) Journal of Advanced Nursing , 63 , 440 , 450 . Aim This paper is a report of a systematic review to examine the effectiveness of preventive interventions to reduce congenital cytomegalovirus transmission and infection among women of childbearing age. Background Congenital cytomegalovirus has been identified as the leading infectious cause of damage to the growing fetus in developed countries, including Down's syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome and spina bifida. Despite the prevalence and consequences of this infection, it has a low profile and pregnant mothers are often unaware of the risks and protective behaviours related to its transmission. Women with children in day care and nurses working with children are particularly at risk of acquiring the virus. Data sources A computerized literature search for papers up to 1 December 2007 was performed using MEDLINE (from 1950), EMBASE (from 1980) and CINAHL (from 1982). Review methods Both authors independently reviewed studies that met inclusion criteria and assigned a quality rating determined by the number of validity criteria met. Differences were discussed until consensus was reached. Findings Differences in hygiene behaviour changes were most statistically significant for pregnant, seronegative women. Although the methodological quality of the three included studies was not strong, seroconversion rates consistently decreased as cytomegalovirus education and support increased. Conclusion Nurses can act as preventive agents for cytomegalovirus infection through education about hygiene precautions during antenatal care and through preventive measures in the workplace. The review findings suggest that educational interventions in hygiene practices have the potential to be a feasible, large-scale, primary prevention strategy. [source] Best practice contact lens care: A review of the Asia Pacific Contact Lens Care SummitCLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL OPTOMETRY, Issue 2 2009Deborah Sweeney BOptom PhD FAAO Contact lens hygiene has long been recognised as key to the prevention of contact-lens associated infection and inflammation. Microbial keratitis (MK) is the only serious and potentially sight-threatening contact lens adverse event. International studies including recent research in Asia Pacific show that MK is rare but, as the consequences can be severe, it is important to minimise the risk factors. Studies continue to show that one of the key risk factors is lens and lens case hygiene. Therefore, it is also useful to review the behaviour of our patients, to see how closely they follow the recommended hygiene practices. Recent studies in various regions have shown that patients' lens care habits do not meet a required standard. Patients can become complacent and thus non-compliant with lens care instructions. Furthermore, they do not understand the high risk of some behaviour and they are not hearing the practitioner when instructions and reminders are given. Further education is important to improve patient compliance and safety. The Asia Pacific Contact Lens Care Summit held in Singapore urged the industry and practitioners to restore the emphasis of proper lens care, including the ,rub and rinse' technique, and developed a new set of guidelines to help eye-care professionals educate their patients on the importance of proper contact lens care to avoid eye infections. The summit also presented the latest research on how to avoid corneal staining, another important element of contact lens care. This review provides a summary of the summit presentations and the science behind these guidelines. [source] Oral and general health behaviours among Chinese urban adolescentsCOMMUNITY DENTISTRY AND ORAL EPIDEMIOLOGY, Issue 1 2008Poul Erik Petersen Abstract,,, Objectives:, The objectives of this study were to measure the association of general and oral health-related behaviours with living conditions and to explore the interrelationships between general and oral health-related behaviours in Chinese urban adolescents. Methods:, A cross-sectional survey of 2662 adolescents was conducted in eight Chinese provincial capitals. The response rate was 92%. The study population was selected through multistage cluster sampling and comprised three age groups: 11, 13 and 15 years. Data on oral and general health, lifestyles as well as living conditions were collected by means of self-administered structured questionnaires. Several additive indices were constructed from answers to the questions on specific behaviour, and participants were categorized according to scores on each component of health-related behaviour for statistical analyses by frequency distributions, regression analyses and factor analyses. Results:, Oral health-related behaviours among adolescents were associated with socioeconomic status of parents, school performance and peer relationships. The odds of a dental visit was 0.63 in adolescents of poorly educated parents and the corresponding figure for regular oral hygiene practices was 0.62. Odds of tobacco use was 3 for adolescents with poor performance in school while odds of consuming sugary foods/drinks was 1.3. Adolescents with high levels of preventive oral health practices also demonstrated general health-promoting behaviours. In factor analysis of general and oral health-related behaviours, three factors were isolated: (a) risk behaviours (loadings 0.48,0.66), (b) health-promoting behaviours (loadings 0.60,0.64) and (c) help-seeking behaviours (loadings 0.56,0.67). Conclusion:, The findings support a multidimensional model of health behaviour. Several approaches and multiple methods should be applied in oral health education in order to modify behaviours that affect oral health. [source] Do life- or school-satisfaction and self-esteem indicators explain the oral hygiene habits of schoolchildren?COMMUNITY DENTISTRY AND ORAL EPIDEMIOLOGY, Issue 5 2007S. Honkala Abstract,,, Objectives:, The aim of this study was to ascertain how frequently toothbrushing and flossing are practiced among schoolchildren in Kuwait and whether life- and school-satisfaction and self-esteem indicators are associated with oral hygiene habits. Methods:, A sample of 2312 schoolchildren between 11 and 13 years old filled out a structured questionnaire anonymously in school classrooms during 2002 and 2003. For this study, nationally representative samples of children were drawn from all six governorates of Kuwait. Only government schools were included. The questionnaire of the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children Study was used in this study after it was modified to suit Kuwait. A chi-squared test and logistic regression model were used for analyzing the data. Results:, Over half of the pupils reported brushing their teeth more than once a day; girls reported brushing more frequently than boys did. One-fifth of the pupils did not brush their teeth even on a daily basis. The life- and school-satisfaction and self-esteem indicators were associated with more-than-once-a-day toothbrushing frequency. The strongest predictors for recommended brushing were: feeling very happy (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.38,2.77), feeling that other pupils always accept him/her (1.5; 1.16,2.02), never/sometimes feeling lonely and feeling that it is very easy to make friends (1.4; 1.06,1.94). The summary variables of life-satisfaction, school-satisfaction and self-esteem seemed to be strongly associated with brushing. Dental floss was never used by 45% of the children, weekly by 18% and daily by 17%; 20% did not even know what dental floss was. Conclusions:, Among intermediate schoolchildren in Kuwait, oral hygiene practices were far behind the international recommendations. Special emphasis should be placed on children who have personal problems with their life, school and self-esteem. [source] | |||||||||||||