After Internet Intervention: Handwashing Up, Respiratory Infections Down

An Internet-based program to increase handwashing among adults reduced the risk for acute respiratory infections in participants and family members.

Handwashing is recommended to prevent infection transmission, yet few rigorous studies supporting it have been published. In an open-label, randomized trial conducted over 3 years, investigators assessed whether a Web-based intervention to increase handwashing, monitor handwashing activity, and provide feedback would decrease the number of acute respiratory infections over a subsequent 16-week winter period. Participants (16,908 adults) were recruited from general practices in England. The intervention included four sessions; most participants completed at least part of all four. The intervention group received automated e-mail reminders and had access to special Web pages.

Based on participant-completed questionnaires, 51% of the interventi…

Reviewing Author

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

After Internet Intervention: Handwashing Up, Respiratory Infections Down

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Reviewing Author